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Big Projects Grow Great Professionals
Leadership / Principles · Updated Apr 2026
People grow when they're stretched, not when they're comfortable.
The Idea
Ambitious, challenging projects develop people faster than any training programme. When someone tackles something bigger than they've done before, they grow to meet it.
Why It Works
- Real stakes create real learning.
- Complex problems force people to develop new skills.
- Ownership of something significant builds confidence and judgement.
- Collaboration on big projects builds deep relationships.
For Engineering Leaders
- Don't wait until someone is "ready" to give them a big project.
- Pair stretch assignments with support, not with micromanagement.
- Accept that there will be mistakes. That's the price of growth.
- Make sure the project matters. People sense when work is fake.
The Balance
Stretch too much and people break. Stretch too little and they stagnate. Find the edge of their capability and push just past it.
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