Incremental Growth Makes a Comeback in Business

Three reasons why patient, steady progress should not be overlooked in an era of rapid change

Published on Feb. 25, 2026

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In an age of automation and breakneck technological progress, the author argues that the virtues of incremental growth and patient industry should not be forgotten. Drawing lessons from literature and personal experience, the article outlines three key reasons why leaders should revisit a more measured approach to growth: it helps create lasting habits, allows teams to tackle bite-sized initiatives that build momentum, and cultivates the patience needed to adapt when business plans don't go as expected.

Why it matters

As companies increasingly feel pressure to pursue rapid, transformative growth driven by new technologies, the author cautions that this mindset can lead to burnout and unrealistic expectations. Embracing incremental progress allows organizations to build sustainable momentum and weather unexpected challenges, without compromising their core values and workforce.

The details

The author, a former English major and philosophy double-major, reflects on the theme of "patient industry" from Charles Dickens' "Hard Times" and how it applies to modern business. While new technologies promise faster growth than ever, the author argues that careful, measured approaches still have tremendous merit. Incremental growth helps create lasting habits, allows teams to tackle bite-sized initiatives that build momentum over time, and cultivates the patience needed to adapt when business plans don't go as expected.

  • The article was published on February 25, 2026.

The players

Bob Spoerl

The author of the article, who was the English student of the year at Loyola University Chicago in 2010 and is now sharing business insights drawn from his liberal arts background.

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What they’re saying

“If the New Year teaches us anything, it's that we're better at setting ambitious goals than following through. When I 'give up X' or 'promise to do Y,' I may have the best intentions, but execution matters.”

— Bob Spoerl, Author (inc.com)

“Vision is important, but big milestones are built on many smaller, tactical projects that happen at the right time. Those steps slowly build momentum and lead to meaningful wins.”

— Bob Spoerl, Author (inc.com)

What’s next

The article encourages readers to write down three ambitious goals - one personal, one professional, and one health-related - for the end of 2026, and to approach them with an incremental growth mindset.

The takeaway

In an era of rapid technological change, the virtues of incremental growth and patient industry should not be overlooked. A more measured approach to progress can help create lasting habits, allow teams to build sustainable momentum, and cultivate the adaptability needed to weather unexpected challenges.