The most dangerous word in a growing company isn’t “no.”

It’s “yes.”

Yes to one more client.
Yes to one more feature.
Yes to one more hire.
Yes to one more “quick favor.”

At first, it feels like momentum.

But unchecked “yes” creates:
• diluted focus
• confused teams
• overwhelmed leaders
• and blurred standards

Growth doesn’t usually break companies.
Overcommitment does.

Mature businesses aren’t built on how much they can say yes to.
They’re built on disciplined restraint.

The founders who scale well ask different questions:
Is this aligned?
Does this strengthen our core?
Do we have the capacity to do this well?
What are we saying no to by saying yes?

Clarity isn’t just about direction.
It’s about boundaries.

The strongest teams I’ve worked with don’t chase every opportunity.

They protect their lane.

Because focus is a leadership decision.

And every “yes” has a cost.