Growth ≠ Compromise

We chase scale, speed, reach.

We optimize for headcount, revenue, market share.

We build systems to go faster.

But somewhere along the way, something subtle can slip: The values that made you worth following in the first place.

When you’re growing, it’s easy to justify small compromises.

• You hire someone who’s “a bit off” culture-wise because they’ll move the needle.

• You take on a client who doesn’t respect your process—because the deal’s big.

• You shift your messaging to “what works” even if it’s not what feels right.

Each decision makes sense in isolation.

But zoom out, and you start to see erosion.

Not dramatic. Just enough to make things feel… off.

Here’s what helps me stay grounded:

Define your values operationally, not aspirationally.

• If you can’t point to how a value shows up in hiring, meetings, and decisions—it’s not a value. It’s a poster.

Audit decisions regularly.

• Not just: “Did this work?”

• But: “Did we do this in a way we’re proud of?”

Don’t scale what isn’t working.

• If a process, a leader, or a habit feels misaligned—fix it before you pour fuel on it.

Make trade-offs transparent.

• Not every choice will be perfect. But if you name the tension out loud, you’ll stay honest.

If you’ve felt a quiet discomfort while growing, it might not be burnout.

It might be misalignment.

And no metric will fix that.

The good news? You don’t have to trade identity for growth.

You can build big and still feel proud of how you got there.

But only if you’re willing to protect what matters, even when it’s inconvenient.

—Peter