Growth rarely comes from where leaders expect it. It doesn’t show up in neatly curated strategic plans or fully formed ideas. Oftentimes, it emerges in moments that are unstructured, such as conversations, observations, and experiences that may not seem significant at first glance.
In a recent Hiring for Good conversation, Josh Carter, co-founder of Upstart Collective, shared a path shaped by the ability to stay curious, engaged, and open to what’s happening in real time.
Pay Attention: Carter highlights that a common starting point for growth is noticing what isn’t working. He walked out of a conference session in frustration with how an industry was evolving. He harnessed that frustration, and it became the source of inspiration for building a new business. For leaders, inspiration often begins in discomfort, gaps, or inefficiencies that others overlook.
Stay Close to People: Growth is also consistently tied to people. Mentors, peers, and even difficult leaders all contributed to Carter’s development and helped shape how he thinks, communicates, and leads. He built Upstart Collective around this idea of connection, providing an environment for “happy collisions” where founders can brainstorm challenges and opportunities together. It’s a reminder that leaders don’t just find opportunities, they create them by building the right networks.
Recognize Potential Early: Carter prioritizes drive and alignment over traditional experience. He will often place people into roles before they feel fully ready. Rather than evaluating readiness, he accelerates it. There is rarely a need to wait for everything to be fully formed for growth to occur. It happens when leaders are willing to invest early and let capability develop in motion.
Broaden Perspective: The business world is not the only place to gain insights. Carter has utilized his exposure to different environments and cultures, and time in the military formed how he sees opportunity and impact. For leaders, inspiration often comes from seeing through a different lens and seeking experiences that challenge assumptions.
Keep Moving: Growth doesn’t require perfect decisions. Carter’s path includes some missteps and failed ventures, but each step created momentum. Movement compounds into insight, capability, and clarity. Leaders don’t need to wait for the right path. They need to stay in motion long enough to find it.
Where to Look:
The patterns are consistent:
- In the problems that others ignore
- In the people who challenge and stretch you
- In the environments where ideas can collide
- In the potential that hasn’t fully surfaced yet
- In the perspectives that expand how you see
- And in the act of continuing forward
The leaders who find growth and inspiration are the ones paying attention.
To hear more about Josh Carter and the Upstart Collective, check out the Hiring for Good podcast at https://www.acumenexecutivesearch.com/hiring-for-good-ep-51-josh-carter/.
Need Help with a Strategic Hire?
At Acumen Executive Search, we specialize in helping Northwest organizations, large and small, identify leaders who match their mission, culture, and vision for growth. With a 93% retention rate over three years, we’re proud to be a trusted search partner across the region.