Someone once told me, "Growth is on the edges. Embrace it." Every leader has a growth edge, the point where a familiar way of leading isn't as effective anymore.
In my experience, most people first notice it as friction: a conversation that goes sideways, an important decision that keeps getting postponed, or the same feedback coming back in a different package. Those moments are uncomfortable, and they're worth paying attention to, because they often point to where you need to grow next.
Signs you may be there
Approaches that used to work well are producing less.
Working harder isn't helping you gain ground.
A recurring theme appears in feedback from different people.
You find yourself avoiding certain situations or people.
Seeing these signs usually means you've outgrown the way you've been operating, which is a natural part of taking on more.
Working with your edge
Name it. Try finishing the sentence "I'm at my best when..., and I struggle when..." A leader might write, "I'm at my best when I have a clear plan, and I struggle when priorities keep shifting." The second half points to the edge, in this case leading with less certainty.
Get curious. Ask what the situation requires of you instead of judging yourself for finding it hard. If you dread a recurring meeting with a peer, ask what that relationship needs from you to work better.
Look for the strength underneath. Growth edges are often strengths taken too far. A leader known for quick, confident decisions may notice the team has stopped offering ideas, a sign that decisiveness may be leaving others little room to contribute.
Draw on past success. Think about a time you handled a similar situation well and what worked for you then. Even a small win gives you something to learn from and build on.
Run a small experiment. Try a different approach in a low-risk setting and notice what happens. If you tend to jump in with answers, stay quiet in one meeting until two or three others have spoken.
Ask for support. Edges are hard to see from the inside, and a coach, mentor, or trusted colleague can help you spot patterns you're too close to notice. You might ask a colleague to watch how you respond to pushback over the next few meetings and share what they see.
Why it's worth the effort
The moments that stretch us often shape us most. Leaders who recognize their growth edge and work with it deliberately keep developing long after experience alone would carry them.
What's your growth edge right now? What's one first step toward embracing it?
Go deeper: For further reading, the Center for Creative Leadership's "4 Sure-Fire Ways To Boost Your Self-Awareness" offers a practical look at how leaders can understand themselves, see how others experience them, and spot their blind spots. https://www.ccl.org/articles/leading-effectively-articles/4-ways-boost-self-awareness/
Considering coaching, team effectiveness, or leadership development for yourself or a leader on your team?