New Format

Yes - this is a new format for my newsletter. I know you're busy. So let me bring you a One Must-Read newsletter. Every week I will send you one story and explain why it's worth your time. My choices include key issues for growing companies; different points of view, and hidden gems. These are the stories I know will give you a competitive edge. David Paul Carter, The Clarity Guy™

One Must-Read Article

12 Universal Barriers to Sustainable Growth

What keeps many businesses from growing?

One topic keeps coming up in my conversations with business leaders lately. We're all dealing with this strange paradox: we live in an age of unprecedented opportunity—AI is revolutionizing everything, remote work has opened global talent pools, and customers are more connected than ever. Yet many companies are struggling to grow sustainably.

The challenge isn't usually about how to grow. Entrepreneurial companies are built for growth—it's in their DNA. The real challenge is identifying and overcoming the barriers that inevitably show up along the way.

Here’s My Take

Why your biggest opportunities might be hiding behind your biggest barriers

The problem isn't usually about finding growth opportunities—it's about identifying and dismantling the barriers that inevitably show up along the way. Some barriers are external (economic uncertainty, supply chain disruption, talent shortages), but the ones that really determine your success are the ones within your control. And most of them are surprisingly predictable.

In this week's one must-read article, I'm sharing the 12 universal barriers that challenge most of us, updated for the realities of 2025. Think of it as a diagnostic checklist—because you can't solve a problem you haven't properly identified. Whether you're hitting a growth plateau, struggling with scaling challenges, or just want to bulletproof your business, this framework will help you see exactly where to focus your energy.

Ready to Break Through?

Take a few minutes to review the 12 barriers.
Spot the one that’s slowing you down—and commit to focus on it this week.

👉Read the full article and take action »

Carter’s Picks

Business Tool:

The Strategic Clarity Test. This 10-minute assessment examines three critical dimensions that determine your scaling success: strategic focus, company alignment, and leadership execution. Free Download

Interesting Links:

• Top 5 Business Trends Shaping 2025 and Beyond (GLOBIS Insights)

• 9 Trends Than Will Shape Work in 2025 and Beyond (Harvard Business Review – Subscribers only)

• Business Trends 2025: Growth, Flexibility, and Innovation (LMBC)

Closing Thoughts

Growth barriers aren't failures—they're signposts. Most companies have faced these same 12 challenges at some point in their journey. The difference between those that thrive and those that plateau isn't avoiding these barriers—it's recognizing them early and tackling them head-on. Right now, while your competitors are waiting for "perfect conditions," you have the opportunity to diagnose your specific barriers and build the systems, strategies, and team dynamics that will carry you through whatever comes next.

So take a hard look at those 12 barriers. Which ones made you nod your head a little too knowingly? Which ones made you slightly uncomfortable? Those are your starting points. Because once you know exactly what's holding you back, you can do something about it. And that's when the real growth begins.

I'd love to hear what you're dealing with. Hit reply and let me know what resonates from this list—or what I missed entirely.

Did this edition spark an idea? Forward it to someone who needs to see the invisible. And if you haven’t yet—subscribe here to never miss an issue.

All the best-