Success has a hidden danger and that is comfort.
The moment a company becomes number one in its industry, the temptation to relax sets in. Leaders stop asking hard questions, because compared to everyone else, they’re already “winning.”

But leadership built on comparison is fragile, and the market is constantly shifting with new entrants coming. Any leader that grew comfortable at the top will be blindsided.

The strongest companies don’t measure their growth by the weakness of competitors. They measure by the strength of their own untapped capacity. They don’t ask, “Are we still ahead?” They ask, “Are we still hungry?”

Comfort is the enemy of growth and If your leadership makes you relax, then you might just be setting yourself up for a decline.

Dr. Smith Ezenagu is the Chairman of Esso Group, a diversified conglomerate shaping real estate, finance, education, and media. Dr. Smith Ezenagu is recognized as a real estate & investment mogul, life coach, and private equity expert. He leads Esso Group and its subsidiaries: Esso Properties (awarded Nigeria’s Most Innovative Real Estate Company in 2024 and recognized as the best real estate company in Nigeria), Esso School of Enterprise (the leading institution equipping entrepreneurs), and Esso Capital (delivering smart, trusted financial solutions across Nigeria).