Paradigm Shifting Books Disrupt Yourself: The S-Curve Framework That Explains Why You Feel Stuck with Whitney Johnson
In this episode of Paradigm Shifting Books, hosts Stephen and Britain Covey explore Disrupt Yourself with the author herself, Whitney Johnson, to discuss the powerful framework for understanding personal growth, career evolution, and why progress often feels uncomfortable before it feels rewarding. Drawing on Clayton Christensen’s theory of disruptive innovation, Whitney applies the same principles used to explain market shifts to individual lives, revealing how meaningful growth requires intentional disruption.
Stephen reflects on why this episode is especially timely, inviting listeners to use moments of pause, like the holiday season, to reflect on where they are in their careers and lives. Through Whitney’s explanation of the S-curve of learning, the conversation unpacks why starting something new feels slow and discouraging, why momentum eventually accelerates, and why mastery can quietly become a trap. Growth, they explain, is not linear, it is cyclical.
The episode also dives into the seven accelerants that move people up the S-curve, including taking the right risks, embracing constraints, stepping back to grow, and reframing failure as a tool rather than a verdict. Whitney shares deeply personal stories from her time on Wall Street and her decision to disrupt her own career, offering a model for navigating change with courage and clarity.
This conversation is a must-listen for anyone feeling stuck, restless, or ready for their next chapter, and for leaders seeking to better understand how growth unfolds in themselves and others.
What We Discuss
- [00:00] Introduction
- [00:36] Holiday Reflection
- [01:33] Disrupt Yourself by Whitney Johnson
- [03:17] The S-Curve of Learning
- [08:15] Applying the S-Curve to Personal Growth
- [12:34] Seven Variables for Growth
- [16:08] Embracing Failure as a Tool for Growth
Notable Quotes
- [05:34] “Disruption isn’t just about products, it’s about people.” – Whitney Johnson
- [05:38] “If I'm going to accomplish what I feel I need to in life, I may need to disrupt myself.”– Whitney Johnson
- [09:13] “Every time I start something new, I am at the base of the S-curve, and growth is happening but it's not yet apparent.”– Whitney Johnson
- [10:56] “ When you know where you are, you increase your capacity to grow. You orient yourself and so that can impact you, and it can help you grow the people around you. So the S-curve is basically telling you where you are on the mountain..” – Whitney Johnson
- [16:46] “ Failure and mistakes are not actually the problem.It's the shame that we associate with the mistakes.” – Whitney Johnson
Resources
Paradigm Shifting Books
Book
Whitney Johnson
Britain Covey
Stephen H. Covey