The Science of Scaling Your Ward | An Interview with Benjamin Hardy

Dr. Benjamin Hardy is an organizational psychologist, author, and speaker known for his work on the psychology of exponential growth and transformation. He has mastered a highly unique form of strategic psychology and is known for his ability to rapidly scale companies to seemingly impossible levels. The author of several books and cofounder of his rigorous scaling company, Scaling.com, Benjamin helps companies scale 10x or more within three years. His innovative psychological and strategic frameworks are unlike anything else in business right now and are seeking to disrupt both the fields of psychology and business. Benjamin and his wife Lauren have seven children and live in Orlando. Links The Science of Scaling: Grow Your Business Bigger and Faster Than You Think Possible Scaling.com/Audiobook Share your thoughts in the Leading Saints community Transcript coming soon Get 14-day access to the Core Leader Library Highlights Benjamin introduces the idea that setting ambitious goals can lead to more effective pathways for growth. He explains that when organizations aim for significantly higher targets—such as a tenfold increase in growth—they are compelled to streamline their efforts and eliminate unnecessary complexities. This principle is particularly relevant for church leaders who may feel constrained by traditional metrics of success. Benjamin emphasizes the importance of aligning daily actions with a higher purpose. He discusses the concept of "raising the floor," which refers to the necessity of letting go of lower standards and practices that no longer serve the organization's goals. By doing so, leaders can create a more focused and effective environment for achieving their objectives. The conversation also delves into the psychological aspects of goal-setting, highlighting how the future should shape present actions rather than being dictated by past performance. He shares a compelling story about an audacious missionary baptism goal and how adjusting adjusting and filtering ultimately achieved the goal—illustrating the power of high aspirations and the need for leaders to be willing to say no to less-impactful activities. Benjamin explores the challenges church leaders face in maintaining focus amidst competing priorities and discusses the tendency to add more initiatives rather than simplifying and prioritizing efforts. He encourages leaders to define clear, measurable goals that can guide their actions and decision-making processes, along with a call to embrace ambitious goals. By focusing on fewer, higher goals and raising their standards, leaders can unlock the potential within their wards and organizations, ultimately leading to greater success in their missions. 00:04:00 - Applying Scaling Principles to the Church 00:05:20 - The Goal Shapes the Path and System 00:05:50 - The Power of 10x Goals and Short Timelines 00:08:40 - Missionary Work as an Example of Scaling 00:10:50 - The Past and Future as Lenses for the Present 00:14:10 - Operating From the Goal, Not Toward It 00:14:40 - Raising the Floor and Saying No 00:15:30 - Blake's Missionary Experience and Filtering 00:19:40 - Overcoming the Influence of the Past in Organizations 00:21:50 - Simplicity vs. Complexity 00:23:10 - The Challenge of Too Many Goals in Church Councils 00:24:50 - Focusing on Key Priorities in Leadership 00:28:00 - Defining and Owning Roles in Church Leadership 00:28:50 - Understanding and Raising the Floor 00:31:30 - The Floor as a Standard of Accountability 00:33:30 - Avoiding Guilt from Too Many To-Dos 00:36:10 - Setting Clear, Numeric Goals 00:40:20 - The Future Shapes the Present 00:42:50 - Repentance and Reorienting Towards the Future 00:44:50 - Distancing from Past Self and Growth Mindset 00:48:50 - Measuring Impact and Qualitative vs. Quantitative Goals 00:53:00 - Accountability in Systems and Leadership