Sept. 12, 2025

From Growing a Business to Leading One: Shifting Mindset, Scaling, and Staying Present

From Growing a Business to Leading One: Shifting Mindset, Scaling, and Staying Present
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Season 2

In this episode of Be The CEO, Adam and Tom dive into the mindset shifts required to go from simply growing a business to truly leading one. They answer questions posed by their assistant, Gary, based on real conversations with clients, challenges in their own business, and lessons learned through years of coaching entrepreneurs.

From tackling limiting beliefs and sabotaging habits to mastering focus, scaling strategically, and protecting your energy, this episode is packed with actionable insights for business owners who want to evolve into intentional CEOs.

If you're feeling overwhelmed, stuck in practitioner mode, or unsure how to scale without burning out, this episode will help you identify the changes you need to make—not just in your business, but in yourself.

What You'll Learn in This Episode

  • The difference between growing a business and leading one — and when that shift happens.
  • How to identify and overcome limiting beliefs that hold you back.
  • Why certainty beats confidence when making decisions as a CEO.
  • The crucial difference between growth and scaling — and how to avoid common pitfalls.
  • Practical strategies for staying focused and managing distractions.
  • How to redefine your identity when building a business versus staying self-employed.
  • Simple steps to protect your energy and stay present as a leader.


Episode Highlights & Timestamps

  • 00:48 – Growing vs. leading a business: what changes when you become a CEO
  • 02:52 – Tom’s biggest limiting belief and how it shows up in his business
  • 04:45 – The power of certainty over confidence in decision-making
  • 06:24 – Managing attention and avoiding distractions
  • 08:20 – Why founders struggle to scale and what scaling really means
  • 10:19 – Sabotaging habits and how to keep them in check
  • 13:14 – The "One Plan" for building a million-dollar coaching business
  • 15:46 – Head trash: letting go of outdated beliefs about leadership
  • 17:38 – Helping clients navigate overwhelm and create lasting change
  • 19:36 – The shift from grinding to leading: management vs. leadership
  • 21:37 – Why you can't build a new business with an old identity
  • 24:01 – Staying present and protecting your energy as a leader
  • 25:34 – Why networking is the most authentic way to build relationships

Resources & Links Mentioned in This Episode



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What’s one limiting belief or sabotaging habit you’ve had to overcome in your business?

Share it with us on LinkedIn or during one of our live networking events.