February 2026
Growth
“In any given moment we have two options: to step forward into growth or back into safety.”
– Abraham Maslow
OVERVIEW
As leaders, we set the tone for our teams and our organization. Growth isn’t just about personal development, it’s the force that keeps us relevant, innovative, and resilient in a constantly changing world. When we consistently choose to step forward into growth rather than retreating into safety, we model courage, adaptability, and continuous improvement for those around us. That small, deliberate choice compounds: it unlocks new capabilities in ourselves, inspires our teams to stretch beyond the comfortable, and drives the organization forward with momentum. This month, commit to being the kind of leader who doesn’t just talk about growth, but lives it, one intentional step at a time.
STEP FORWARD/STEP BACKWARD EXERCISE
PURPOSE:
To focus on recognizing daily micro-choices and committing to small growth steps for the rest of the year.
INSTRUCTIONS:
Make sure everyone has a Step Forward/Step Backward Worksheet.
Read this month’s quote to introduce the idea of our 2 choice paths.
Are they stepping forward into growth (i.e. spoke up in a meeting with a new idea, asked for feedback, took on a stretch project, had a tough conversation)?
Or are they stepping back into safety (i.e. stayed quiet to avoid conflict, avoided delegating, procrastinated on learning a new skill/tool)?
Give 5-10 minutes for everyone to complete the worksheet.
Break the group into pairs or small groups, and encourage sharing one example each of a growth moment + safety moment + intended next step forward.
Close the meeting by going around the room and having each person share their greatest take-away or commitment to “step forward” over the next 30 days (and beyond).