Beyond The Grind – Rewriting The Narrative Around Hard Work For Regenerative Business

Today I’m kicking off a new blog series exploring regenerative business and how it's reshaping the way we define success.

In this first post, I want to talk about the culture of “the grind” — and why it’s time we started questioning it.

Regenerative Business & The Problem With “Grind Culture”

For decades, we've idolised the hustle. “Go hard or go home.” “Whatever it takes.” “Never give up.” These mantras have been plastered across office walls and social media feeds — glorifying a culture where burnout is a badge of honour and rest is weakness.

But here’s the truth: grind culture is not sustainable — not for people, not for businesses, and not for the planet.

The regenerative business model offers us a new path forward. It recognises that constant output and relentless striving are symptoms of a system that’s out of balance. And if we want to succeed in the long term, we need to redefine what hard work means — and how it serves us.

What Children Can Teach Us About Balance

Children, by nature, understand something many of us have forgotten: that effort must be balanced with curiosity, rest, and play. They work hard when they’re engaged, but they also know when to switch off and simply be.

This natural rhythm is crucial in regenerative business. A regenerative organisation doesn’t just drive output — it supports the cycles of energy, creativity, and rest that allow people to perform sustainably. Instead of extracting more and more, we focus on nurturing and replenishing the systems (human and otherwise) that make up our business ecosystem.

When I work with clients to explore more balanced, human-centric models, we always begin by looking at where pressure is accumulating — and what needs to be softened. You can read more about my approach to working together here.

The Masculine Energy That Drives Work Culture

Our existing model of hard work is built on deeply ingrained societal patterns — often rooted in masculine archetypes: assertiveness, speed, dominance, linear progression.

These traits aren’t inherently negative — they’ve brought about innovation and incredible achievements. But when they dominate the narrative, they leave no room for the equally vital feminine energies: collaboration, rest, reflection, and responsiveness.

Harvard Business Review highlights this imbalance in its study, "The Hidden Burden of Corporate Masculinity," noting how performance-driven environments often discourage emotional intelligence, flexibility, and vulnerability — qualities that are essential in building resilient, adaptive teams.

Regenerative businesses seek a balance between these energies. This isn't about gender; it’s about recognising that a healthy organisation must embrace both structure and fluidity, doing and being, achievement and reflection.

The False Economy Of Working Harder

Working harder doesn’t always mean working smarter. In fact, it can have the opposite effect.

The OECD’s 2023 Productivity Report revealed that overworked employees are less productive overall and more prone to absenteeism, errors, and long-term burnout.

Similarly, research by Stanford University found that productivity sharply declines when people work more than 50 hours per week, and drops off almost entirely past 55 hours.

In my work with progressive leaders and organisations, I’ve seen firsthand how shifting away from this relentless pace can unlock not just wellbeing, but innovation and efficiency. Clients often share how this transformation has helped them re-energise their teams and refocus their efforts — you can explore some of their experiences here.

Rest, Spaciousness, & Time Are Strategic

In regenerative business, we think long-term. This means creating space for deeper thinking, better decisions, and more meaningful connection. Rest isn’t a break from productivity — it’s a vital part of it.

Regenerative leaders are beginning to implement practices that honour this. From trialling four-day workweeks to integrating reflective team spaces, businesses are learning that sustainable performance requires sustainable pace.

As Arianna Huffington puts it, “Burnout is not the price we have to pay for success.” Her work with Thrive Global has shown that well-rested employees make better leaders, collaborators, and innovators — and I’ve seen the same to be true in the organisations I support.

Regenerative Business Is Redefining Hard Work

We’re standing at a crossroads. Do we continue down the path of depletion, or do we begin the work of regeneration?

Regenerative business doesn’t reject hard work — it redefines it. It asks:

• Is this effort sustainable?

• Does it support human and ecological wellbeing?

• Is it aligned with our purpose and values?

When we lead from this place, work becomes more than output. It becomes meaningful contribution. It becomes growth without sacrifice.

If you’re curious about how to start shifting your own business toward a regenerative model, I’d love to talk with you. You can get in touch with me directly here.

Let's create something that doesn't just survive — but thrives, regenerates and sustains.

Up next in this blog series: The Evolution of Success – Why Meaning Matters More Than Money.

Stay tuned.