Grow The Pie Vs. Grow The Slice

Are you being asked to grow the whole pie, or just the size of one slice of it?

Because there’s a difference.

Growing the whole pie means considering the whole in the context of growth. Some slices might contribute to more, some might contribute less, but they all benefit.

Growing a slice of the pie means the whole still might grow, but it also might not, because the primary consideration is the smaller piece we’re focused on.

Inside of an organization, you have both attitudes.

Inside of a community, you have both attitudes.

And it’s ok to just grow the slice, if you understand the tradeoffs with the entire pie.

It’s also ok to grow the whole pie, so long as you understand the tradeoffs between slices.

You can’t talk about one without considering the other.