In today’s rapidly changing banking environment, incremental growth is no longer enough. Between evolving regulations, rising customer expectations, and increasing competition from fintech, banks must think beyond “business as usual.” The book 10x Is Easier Than 2x by Dan Sullivan and Dr. Benjamin Hardy offers a framework that aligns perfectly with this moment in banking—challenging leaders to step away from small, incremental gains and instead reimagine their institutions through innovation, clarity, and purpose.
Summary:
10x Is Easier Than 2x: How World-Class Entrepreneurs Achieve More by Doing Less presents a counterintuitive approach to growth, arguing that aiming for a tenfold (10x) increase is often simpler, less stressful, and more effective than striving for a two fold (2x) improvement.
Key Concepts:
10x is a Qualitative Shift, Not a Quantitative Increase: The book challenges the idea that 10x growth requires 10x more effort. A 2x goal usually means doing more of the same, leading to exhaustion. A 10x goal, by contrast, forces you to fundamentally
change your approach, requiring innovation, simplification, and a complete transformation of your thinking and methods.
The Power of Clarity and Simplification: Pursuing a massive, “impossible” 10x goal immediately clarifies what truly matters. It acts as a powerful filter, forcing you to stop doing 80% of low-impact activities and distractions that clutter your life and focus only on the vital 20% that will create exponential results (a concept rooted in the Pareto Principle).
Focus on Unique Ability and Quality: 10x growth is achieved by dramatically increasing the quality of what you do, not the quantity. This involves deeply leveraging your Unique Ability—the things you do better than anyone else, that energize you, and that provide the highest value.
Embrace the “Who Not How” Mindset: Rather than trying to figure out how to do everything yourself, a 10x mindset focuses on who can best handle the tasks that are not in your 20% high-impact zone. This involves strategic delegation, building a strong team, and empowering others to operate within their own Unique Abilities.
Expand the Four Freedoms: The ultimate goal of 10x growth is the expansion of four key freedoms:
Time Freedom (more free time and focused time)
Money Freedom (greater and easier financial flow)
Relationship Freedom (surrounding yourself with 10x-minded collaborators)
Purpose Freedom (having a clear, inspiring mission)
Shift from Scarcity to Abundance: A 10x mindset rejects the scarcity thinking that suggests success for you must come at the expense of others. It promotes an abundance mindset where your growth creates opportunities and value for everyone involved.
In essence, the book argues that incremental, linear growth (2x) is complex and competitive, while truly transformational, exponential growth (10x) forces clarity and focus that ultimately makes the path simpler and more rewarding.
For bankers, adopting a 10x mindset could mean rethinking how your institution serves clients, empowers employees, and approaches growth. Instead of asking how to meet next year’s targets, imagine how to completely redefine your impact in the communities you serve. As you plan for 2026, what 10x ideas could expand your bank’s four freedoms—for yourself, your team, and your customers? If you’re ready to explore strategies that simplify operations while multiplying results, reach out to david@mcswainconsulting.net to begin your 10x journey.