There’s a leadership skill no one talks about:
⛔ Subtraction.
Because in scaling, addition is easy. Subtraction is rare.
Most CEOs are masters of addition.
➡️ They add products.
➡️ They add people.
➡️ They add tools.
But very few are skilled at removing the things that no longer serve the mission.
That’s what makes subtraction so powerful — and so hard.
Because subtraction isn’t about cost-cutting.
✅ It’s about clarity.
✅ It’s about freeing up energy, time, and focus for what actually moves the needle.
In every scaling company, there comes a moment when complexity overtakes momentum.
〰️ You feel it in the decision bottlenecks.
〰️ You see it in the org chart bloat.
〰️ You sense it in the subtle drag on every initiative.
The instinct is to add more.
➕ A new hire.
➕ A new layer.
➕ A new system.
But the real move?
⛔ Look for what you can remove — and watch speed return.
Scaling cleanly isn’t about doing more.
🟢 It’s about doing less, better.
If you master subtraction, growth takes care of itself.
If you don’t, complexity will do the subtracting for you.
If this hits close to home, it might be time to ask:
➡️ “What am I willing to let go of so we can grow?”
If you’re not asking that, you’re probably already paying the price.
If this resonates, I’d love to hear:
What’s one thing you’ve subtracted in your business that made everything else easier?
If your company is scaling but feels heavier, this might be why.
You might not be the leader you think you are. Try the PSIU Test and find out: https://organizationalphysics.com/worlds-fastest-personality-test/
– Lex, your CEO coach
P.S. 📌 Every year, I find at least one thing to stop doing — in business and in life. It’s always worth it.
