Finding the Stretch Zone
Discomfort is easy to misread. Many people assume it means they are doing something wrong, when in fact, it often means they are doing something new. Growth does not happen in comfort. It happens when we are willing to stretch.
Stretch is the space between what is familiar and what feels overwhelming. It is where you are challenged just enough to learn, adapt, and grow without shutting down. Leading in the Stretch Zone means leaning into discomfort with purpose, not pushing through pressure for the sake of progress.
Our brains are naturally wired to seek safety and predictability. But staying in familiar routines too long limits our adaptability, creativity, and leadership potential. Discomfort can be a signal, not a warning. It tells us we are trying, learning, and stepping into something that matters.
This session is about learning to recognize that signal and respond to it in a way that supports progress. You will explore what it looks like to operate in your stretch zone—not your panic zone—and how to help others do the same.
Growth takes intention. It also takes a mindset that allows for challenge, missteps, and learning along the way. The goal is not to get it perfect—it’s to keep going!
“A ship in harbor is safe, but that is not what ships are built for.”
Self-Assessment: Finding the Stretch Zone
Please take a few moments to answer the following self-reflection questions. Where can you identify opportunities for personal growth in your leadership?
How do I typically respond when something feels unfamiliar or uncomfortable?
Do I tend to stay in my comfort zone, push too far, or find a balanced stretch?
What emotions come up for me when I feel challenged or unsure?
When was the last time I chose to step into discomfort for the sake of growth?
Do I create space for learning through mistakes, or do I expect people to get it right the first time?
How do I know the difference between healthy discomfort and unhelpful pressure, both for myself and for others?
What supports help me stay grounded when I am stretching myself beyond what feels easy?
How do I support others when they are outside their comfort zone and still building confidence?
Remember, this self-assessment is just a starting point for understanding The Stretch Zone as a leader. It's essential to reflect on your responses and actively work on areas where improvement is needed.
Stretching is not about pushing harder. It is about stepping into something new with a mindset that welcomes learning. It means taking on just enough challenge to grow without feeling overwhelmed. Progress comes from trying, adjusting, and learning as you go.
This happens within three distinct zones:
Comfort Zone: This is where things feel familiar and safe. Tasks are known, and efficiency may be high, but growth tends to be limited.
Stretch Zone: Here, people are challenged in ways that push their thinking and expand their skills. Discomfort is present, but it stays manageable.
Panic Zone: This is where the challenge feels too intense. Stress can take over, performance declines, and learning often stops.
Effective leaders recognize the value of working in the Stretch Zone. They know that this is where people build confidence, solve problems creatively, and strengthen their ability to adapt. The goal is not to stay comfortable or push people too far. It is to create the right environment for growth to take place.
Your approach makes a difference. When you give yourself permission to learn through effort instead of expecting perfection, you open the door to curiosity. Taking small, thoughtful risks and allowing space for mistakes are all part of the learning process.
It also helps to notice what kind of discomfort you are experiencing. Not every difficult moment is dangerous. Some are simply unfamiliar. Becoming more aware of your own reactions allows you to respond with clarity and lead with intention.
Let’s take a look at what this can look like in practice!
“You have been assigned this mountain so that you can show others it can be moved.”
Stretch and Deliver
Luis had been a steady presence on the job site for years. He knew the work, knew his crew, and had earned the respect that comes with consistency. What he did not have was experience leading meetings, especially not in front of upper management. So when his supervisor asked him to run the next weekly safety briefing, Luis felt his stomach drop.
His first instinct was to say no. He told himself he wasn’t “the presentation type,” and that someone else would do a better job. But later that night, he thought about something he often said to new hires: “If you never try, you never grow.” The words stuck.
The next day, Luis agreed to do it. He didn’t try to sound like someone else. He kept the safety notes simple, shared a story about a near-miss from a previous project, and made space for the team to ask questions. It wasn’t flashy, but it was honest. And the team listened.
Afterward, a few people thanked him for how clear and relatable it was. One crew member said it was the first time they really understood why the lockout procedure mattered. Luis was surprised by how good that felt.
It wasn’t easy. It wasn’t perfect. But it was a stretch… and it stuck with him. From that point on, Luis didn’t shy away from unfamiliar opportunities. He just took them one step at a time.
Discomfort is not a sign that you are failing. More often, it is a signal that you are growing. But to make the most of it, leaders need more than motivation—they need actionable tools. The stretch zone is where learning happens, but staying there requires self-awareness and intentional habits. Without that, it is easy to slip into overwhelm instead of growth.
The best leaders prepare for potential discomfort. They understand what it looks like in themselves and their teams, and they create environments where stretching is possible, supported, and even encouraged. Below are some practical ways to help yourself and others stay grounded, curious, and confident in the stretch zone.
Recognize the Difference Between Fear and Danger: Not every hard thing is harmful. Fear of failure often comes from uncertainty rather than actual danger. When you feel resistance, pause and ask yourself whether you are facing real risk or simply the discomfort of growth.
Stretching often feels uncertain, but that doesn’t mean it is unsafe. When you feel fear, pause and ask: "Is this discomfort because I am growing, or is it something I truly need to avoid?"
Take Smart, Manageable Risks: Stretching does not mean taking on everything at once. It means identifying one step that feels just beyond your comfort zone and choosing to act on it. Challenge yourself to move forward even if you are not completely sure.
Building on last session’s mindset: take the next best step, not the perfect one!
Interrupt Negative Thought Patterns About Discomfort: When discomfort arises, the brain often jumps to worst-case scenarios. Catching and challenging these thoughts can reduce hesitation and fear-based avoidance. Instead of thinking, "This is too hard," shift to, "This is challenging, but I can figure it out!"
When your mind jumps to worst-case scenarios, ask yourself, "What is another possible outcome?"
Keep Track of Discomfort Milestones: Progress often shows up in small moments. Look back at times you took on a new challenge, even when it felt uncomfortable. What helped you succeed? What did you learn?
Recognizing how far you have come builds confidence for what comes next. Keep a short list of “stretch wins” to remind yourself that you have done this before.
Encourage a Culture Where Discomfort is Okay: Teams that normalize discomfort as part of the learning process create an environment where people feel supported in taking risks and challenging themselves. Growth becomes a shared effort rather than an individual struggle.
Reinforce the idea that learning comes from taking on new challenges, even when mistakes happen.
Provide opportunities for team members to challenge themselves in a safe, supportive way: this could include rotating responsibilities, trying new approaches, or offering constructive feedback to each other.
Discomfort is often viewed as a roadblock, but what if it is the very path to growth? We will never know unless we are willing to challenge ourselves, and that means stepping out of what feels familiar.
These past few sessions have explored what it takes to build a change mindset, how to move from fear into curiosity, and how to recognize the difference between panic and healthy stretch. Each step has shown us that growth is not about being fearless or flawless. It is about being willing.
But what happens when things do not go the way we hoped? What happens when we stumble or fail? The truth is, setbacks are not just likely; they’re part of the process. In the next and final session in the Change Module, we will explore how to turn those setbacks into strengths, because the mark of a strong leader is not whether we fall, but how we choose to build ourselves back up.
Reflection Questions:
How do I usually respond when I feel stretched or uncertain? Do I lean in, hesitate, or avoid the discomfort?
What is one recent moment where I stepped outside my comfort zone? What did I learn from that experience?
How can I better support others when they are working in their stretch zone?
What simple action can I take this week that feels like a stretch, but also a step toward growth?
To push your understanding of Finding the Stretch Zone to the next level, explore these valuable resources. They’ll help expand your skills and provide essential tools for building strong leadership.
How Embracing Discomfort Makes You a More Effective Leader
Life and Leadership Outside Your Comfort Zone
The Meaningful Leader: What’s the one thing I should grow and develop this year? (4:05)