Episode 254 - Embracing Failure, Breaking Stagnation, and Unlocking Growth with Frankie Russo

Send us a text About the Guest: Frankie Russo is an entrepreneur, speaker, and author who specializes in business growth, innovation, and leadership. He has built and scaled multiple successful companies, including one that grew 60x in three years and was eventually acquired by a Fortune 500 company.  Frankie is also deeply involved in helping individuals overcome addiction and personal stagnation. His book Breaking WHY: Hacking and Rebuilding Strategic Emotions for Authentic Success explores the intersection of purpose, passion, and business strategy.  He is the host of The School of Weird podcast, where he dives into the power of embracing your uniqueness. About the Episode: In this episode of GrowthReady, Frankie Russo breaks down what it truly means to be "growth ready", and it"s not what most people think. He shares insights on how failure, rather than success, is the real foundation of growth and why stagnation is a greater threat than failure itself.  Frankie discusses the "stagnation spiral," the importance of identifying problems honestly, and why embracing your "weird" is the key to unlocking limitless growth. Throughout the conversation, Frankie and the host explore how businesses and individuals can break free from outdated models, reframe their approach to success, and consistently evolve. They also discuss the balance between personal and professional growth, and how self-honesty and emotional awareness play a crucial role in long-term success. Key Takeaways:Growth comes from failure, not from success. The biggest mistake people make is fearing failure instead of learning from it.Stagnation isn’t just a business problem - it’s a human problem. It sneaks up when we get too comfortable with the way things have always been done.There are five key villains in the stagnation spiral: denial, status quo, silos/isolation, rigid beliefs, and disengagement. Recognizing these in yourself or your business is the first step to breaking free.Many businesses double down on old strategies when growth slows, leading to burnout and disengagement. True growth requires embracing change and being willing to break the old model.Awards and recognition feel good, but they don’t teach anything. Real lessons come from adversity and challenges.Your unique, "weird" qualities hold the key to your best work. Embracing your weird creates a culture of innovation and creativity.Growth starts with brutal honesty—about your business, your habits, and your mindset. The best way to spot denial is to ask yourself, "What have people been telling me that I’ve been ignoring?"Trying to change things outside of your control leads to frustration and burnout. Instead, focus on what you can change—often, that starts with yourself.Chasing success and growth as an end goal is flawed. Instead, commit to the process of continuous evolution and problem-solving. 📢 Resources:Frankie Russo’s Website: FrankieRusso.comFrankie’s Books:Breaking WHY: Hacking and Rebuilding Strategic Emotions for Authentic SuccessThe Art of Why: Master Your Purpose, Success & AuthenticityFollow Frankie on Social Media:Instagram: @frankierusso Sign up for the monthly newsletter with Steve and GrowthReady (formerly known as Career Competitor) by providing your details here - Request to become part of our community Also be sure to give him and the show a follow on Instagram @coachstevemellor