A CEO’s Secret to Breakthrough Growth: Not Doing it Alone - Zaina Orbai
As a CEO or top leader, your journey is never truly complete. While achieving milestones in scaling a company is indeed a significant accomplishment, sustaining results lies in your ongoing commitment to your own growth. The key to success is ensuring your leadership growth rate outpaces your business growth rate so you can build the skills today to meet tomorrow’s business challenges.
When I reflect on the leaders I’ve had the privilege to work with, one recurring theme stands out: those who invest in their growth and stay committed to learning are the ones whose organizations thrive in the long run. As Indra Nooyi, the former CEO of PepsiCo, once said, “Just because you are CEO, don’t think you have landed. You must continually increase your learning, the way you think, and the way you approach the organization. I’ve never forgotten that.” The success of any growing business hinges on how quickly its leaders evolve and adapt to the changing environment.
The Power of Coaching in Leadership
In my journey as an executive and now a business advisor and coach, I’ve seen firsthand the transformative impact of coaching. Like an athlete preparing for the Olympics, even the best need coaches. Whether it’s Simone Biles, who has dominated the gymnastics world, or a CEO crystallizing their business vision, a partnership with an experienced coach is invaluable. Many successful and well-known people have worked with a business executive coach: Serena Williams, Bill Gates, Steve Jobs, Oprah Winfrey, Sheryl Sandberg, Eric Schmidt, and the list goes on.
Coaching is a trusted partnership to support you in navigating the challenging business environment and developing growth strategies that require intentional focus and clarity. I have collaborated with over 100 Founding CEOs and entrepreneurs in boardrooms, investor meetings, and strategy sessions, and the pattern is consistent — those who actively seek guidance, feedback, and growth opportunities build more resilient organizations and gain long-term success.
Invest in Yourself to Multiply Your Impact
I often work with founders and executives who are navigating the demands of scaling their businesses while also working to become the leaders they want to be. While it’s not easy maintaining a dual focus, the best leaders understand it is crucial. When you invest in your own growth, you’re not only elevating yourself but also becoming a multiplier for others — your team, your business, and the industry at large. It starts with a willingness to dive deeper with curiosity and courage to unblock challenges and shift your perspective. Real transformation happens when you uncover what is holding you back and clear the path forward to achieve your goals.
As a collaborative growth catalyst, I believe in the power of intentional systems thinking and conscious awareness. When we as leaders continuously learn and grow, we create a ripple effect that reshapes and changes the landscape of business and, ultimately, society.
So, my message to you is simple: don’t let your personal growth run on autopilot. Whether you’re preparing for your company’s next phase of growth or building a high-performing team, remember that committing to your own growth is the most valuable investment you can make, yet only the best truly do.
Zaina is a strategic advisor and experienced executive specializing in guiding high-growth companies through pivotal transformations. She collaborates closely with Founding CEOs and executive teams, helping them overcome challenges and accelerate growth. As a certified Energy Coach, she supports leaders in unlocking their full potential by focusing on personal and business development. Passionate about diversity, Zaina is a founding member of Chief and invests in tech-enabled, human-focused ventures.
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