One of the most powerful questions I ask leaders in coaching sessions is deceptively simple:
Are you growing, or are you developing?
It’s not a trick question, but it often leads to silence. And reflection. Because while both
growth and development sound positive (and they are), they’re not quite the same.
Understanding the difference is where true self-improvement begins.
In a world obsessed with progress, it’s easy to chase outcomes without asking if the
direction itself is right. But when we step back, reflect, and become more intentional, we
start seeing the two distinct , yet complementary paths: personal
growth and personal development.
Self-Improvement: The Foundation of Intentional Living
Let’s start with the big idea: self-improvement isn’t a checklist or a buzzword. It’s a mindset , one that’s grounded in continuous evolution, curiosity, and accountability.
In my experience working with senior leaders, entrepreneurs, and professionals at every stage, those who thrive long term are not necessarily the most talented , but the most self-aware. Self-awareness is the gateway to all improvement. You can’t grow or develop if you don’t first understand what needs attention.
Ask yourself:
- What am I currently doing that’s working well?
- Where do I keep repeating the same mistakes?
- What beliefs, habits, or skills are holding me back?
When you start engaging with these questions honestly, you start building the muscle of self-improvement.
Personal Growth: Who You Are Becoming
Personal growth is inward-facing. It’s about becoming a better human being , not just a better performer. This journey includes emotional maturity, clarity of values, and your ability to relate to others with empathy and confidence.
You’re working on your mindset, your reactions, and your understanding of the world.
Here’s how I define it:
Personal growth is the expansion of your inner world : how you think, feel, and relate.
It shows up in moments when:
- You respond calmly instead of reacting impulsively
- You recognize your own blind spots and own them
- You can sit with discomfort, instead of running from it
Leaders who invest in personal growth often find their external success starts aligning more naturally. Because when the inner world is clear, the outer world begins to make more sense.
Personal Development: What You Are Learning and Practicing
Personal development, on the other hand, is more skill-based and goal-oriented. It’s about building the competencies you need to thrive in your professional and personal life.
This could include:
- Learning a new language or tool
- Improving your communication skills
- Attending a leadership workshop
- Working on physical health routines
In simple terms:
Personal development is about expanding your capabilities and knowledge.
Where personal growth transforms who you are, personal development enhances what you can do.
Both are essential. But they serve different purposes.
Growth vs Development: Knowing the Difference Helps You Choose Better
Many people confuse the two. They read a book on productivity and think they’ve grown. Or they meditate daily but avoid learning any new skills.
The truth is: growth without development leads to stagnation, while development without growth leads to burnout.
That’s why understanding the growth vs development dynamic is key to leading yourself and others better.
Let me give you an example.
A senior leader I once coached was focused entirely on skills : executive presence, strategy decks, stakeholder management. But he had recurring conflicts with his team and struggled with feedback.
When we zoomed out, we found the issue wasn’t competence, it was emotional rigidity. Once he started investing in personal growth , working on empathy, vulnerability, and trust , the development skills he had already mastered began to land better.
Self-Awareness: The Bridge Between Growth and Development
At the heart of both journeys lies self-awareness.
You can’t build what you don’t recognize. You can’t heal what you’re unaware of. Whether it’s feedback from others or reflection on your own patterns, awareness is what connects growth to development.
In practical terms:
- Self-awareness helps you spot what to grow into
- It shows you which development path to prioritize
- And it helps you measure progress meaningfully
The best leaders I know across industries aren’t afraid to sit with a mirror. They welcome introspection. They ask for feedback, and they listen. That’s not a weakness. That’s wisdom.
Final Thought: Choose Both, But Choose Mindfully
You don’t have to pick between personal growth and personal development , but you do need to know when you’re doing which.The world doesn’t need more people ticking boxes. It needs more people who are willing to understand themselves deeply and show up more fully.
So the next time you set a goal or pursue a habit, ask yourself: Is this helping me grow as a person, or develop as a professional or both?
When you can answer that with clarity, your self-improvement journey becomes far more intentional and far more fulfilling.
About Coach Girish Konkar
Cdr. Girish Konkar (Retd.) is a former Indian Navy Submarine Commander turned Leadership & Transformation Coach with over 40 years of experience across military and corporate arenas.
As CEO of Beyond Horizons, he blends experiential tools like NLP, Psych-K®, etc. with strategic insight to empower authentic, resilient leaders. He now dedicates his journey to guiding professionals and organizations toward purposeful leadership, growth, and lasting impact.
