Scaling at any price isn’t progress. Often it’s just very expensive vanity.
Years ago, there was a phase at TALENTspy when everything was geared towards growth.
I wanted more of everything:
more mandates,
more revenue,
more countries across DACH.
On paper it looked impressive, and I was immensely proud of the numbers.
And, if I’m honest, of the image it projected.
Looking back, I see very clearly now that part of it was healthy growth.
A large part was vanity.
Back then, I looked at different KPIs from the ones I watch today.
What excited me then:
• revenue curves climbing steeply
• new locations and markets
• more and more projects running in parallel
It looked like scaling. But inside, it often didn’t feel good.
I missed the first warning signs:
• the team’s energy dropped
• decisions got slower
• alignment meetings multiplied
• I drifted further and further away from revenue and clients
• and I had less and less real peace of mind
We grew fast. But that didn’t make us better everywhere.
That’s when I realised:
speed is one of our most important selling points.
And size is the enemy of speed.
Speed comes from a small, capable, agile team.
From direct communication.
From fast decisions.
From focus.
Today I watch different KPIs.
More important to me than scale are:
• energy in the team
• clarity in leadership
• how fast decisions get made day to day
• my own balance between work and life
Get those right and the business grows almost by itself.
And it feels healthy, not like a never-ending sprint.
I’m glad I realised back then that I didn’t want a company that only looks big.
It meant I could change course in time and build a company that works quickly, precisely and effectively for our clients and candidates.
With people who give energy rather than lose it.
