Anton Guinea
Entrepreneur, Speaker, bestselling author, and founder of The Guinea Group of Companies. For over 15 years, Anton has helped leaders move their teams to become psychologically safe, physically safe and overall better versions of themselves.
Have you ever dreamed so big it scared you a little… or maybe a lot?
I have! And I know I’m not the only one. Speaking at the Sydney Opera House has been a goal that’s fired me up for years. It’s a dream shared by so many, and today I made it happen. Standing on that stage wasn’t just a bucket-list moment. It was proof that big dreams aren’t out of reach when you’re willing to put in the reps.
That’s the part most people overlook. We throw around words like “vision” and “ambition” as if they’re all about huge wins and flashy success. But growth? Real growth? It’s not loud. It’s repetitive. It’s uncomfortable. It’s choosing the harder thing on the days you don’t feel like it and doing it anyway.
Where we go wrong with growth
One of the most common things I hear from leaders is this: “I’m stuck.” Not stuck in terms of a promotion or pay rise but stuck in identity. Stuck wondering if they’re still the kind of leader they want to be.
The truth is, reigniting personal growth isn’t about burning everything down and starting again. it’s about deciding that small progress is still progress and doing something about it. Often, it starts with the simple question: who am I becoming?
That question alone has driven some of the most powerful leadership shifts I’ve seen. It’s also one I ask myself constantly.
The identity shift comes before the skill shift
Here’s a bit of a mind-bender, your habits already reflect the type of leader you are. So if you want to become your next-level self, don’t focus on the end goal just yet. Focus on acting like the kind of person who achieves that goal.
I call this a next-level leadership mindset. You don’t wait for the title. You start behaving like the person you want to become, even when no one’s watching. Especially then.
Some people think reinvention means throwing everything out. But I’ve found that true leadership growth is often more about remembering who you were before the burnout, the red tape, and the pressure took over.
Why most leaders stop growing
Honestly? Because they stop listening. To themselves, to feedback, to the discomfort that usually signals something’s about to change. And I get it. It’s confronting. But growth doesn’t happen in comfort zones, it happens just outside them.
There’s this idea I’ve talked about (and seen in action): people don’t fear change, they fear the unknown. So we stay where it feels safe. We protect our status. We resist new challenges because we don’t want to feel like beginners again.
But what if being a beginner was exactly what we needed? here’s an article that really stuck with me. it talks about how growth isn’t glamorous, it’s gritty. it’s earned. and it happens in the trenches.
The power of a leadership habit stack
We don’t rise to the level of our goals. We fall to the level of our systems. That’s not just theory I’ve seen it in every team I’ve coached. Those who grow the fastest are the ones with boring systems. Morning reflections. Weekly one-on-ones. Dedicated time for thinking, not reacting.
If that sounds familiar, it’s because we’ve already talked about how important it is to build better habits as a leader. Growth doesn’t come from good intentions. it comes from good systems. Ones you can stick to on your worst day.
Pro tip: anchor a habit to something you already do. Review your week before you shut the laptop on friday. Ask one new question in every team meeting. Make it part of who you are, not something on your to-do list.
Psychological safety and slow growth are best mates
Here’s something I’ve learned from years of working with high-pressure teams: teams don’t grow if they don’t feel safe. If your people are constantly walking on eggshells, they won’t take the small risks that lead to big gains.
That’s why I created the speak safe program — to help leaders create a space where feedback isn’t feared and growth isn’t punished.
Creating that kind of environment isn’t about big declarations. it’s about small, consistent actions. Things like inviting dissent. Modelling mistakes. Letting others speak first. psychological safety is a slow burn — but it’s the kind of fire that transforms a culture.
Why your mindset is your business strategy
I know we’re supposed to care about KPIs and deliverables. And yes, that matters. But you know what I care about more?
Whether your mindset matches your mission. If you’re leading people, you’re not just delivering results. You’re shaping beliefs. You’re influencing how people feel about themselves at work. That’s not fluffy — that’s culture. And that culture drives performance.
We’ve covered this before why your growth mindset is your business strategy. And here’s another article that explores how leaders with a learning-focused mindset outperform those who get stuck protecting their egos.
Don’t wait for the big moment
One of the best things I’ve ever heard (and now say a lot myself) is: don’t wait until you’re ready. start before you feel ready and let growth catch up.
If you’re trying to build something meaningful, a business, a team, a better version of yourself, don’t chase the highlight reel. Trust the process. Celebrate the boring consistency. Honour the stumbles. That’s what gets you there.
And when you finally do stand on your metaphorical (or literal) Sydney Opera House stage, you’ll look back and realise: every small step was worth it.
Ready to take your next small step? You can book a session with me here — whether you’re leading a team or leading yourself, I’d love to be part of your growth story.
Please click the image below if you’d like to chat about what leadership means to you
If you would like to learn more about Anton or The Guinea Group, please click here to book into Anton’s calendar, to:
UPGRADE your Mindset
UPSKILL your Leadership
UPLIFT your Teams