094: "How Can Leaders Manage Ghost Growth Effectively?" ft. Alli Murphy

In this candid, co-hosted conversation, Erik Berglund and Alli Murphy dive into the trending workplace phenomenon of ghost growth—where employees are handed more responsibilities without more compensation. They unpack where this trend is coming from, how it shows up in real teams, and what both leaders and employees can do to navigate it without burning out or blowing up. With plenty of real-life examples, frameworks, and tactical scripts, this episode is a masterclass in setting boundaries, negotiating expectations, and turning tension into growth.

🧭 Conversation Highlights

• The rise of ghost growth: what it is, how it differs from scope creep, and why it’s hitting workers hard right now
• How leaders can frame tough asks without sounding manipulative
• Smart, non-monetary ways to reward extra effort—and why money isn’t always the most effective motivator
• Why “yes or no” isn’t the only response to being handed more work
• How to build capacity through systems, not just effort
• Scripts for pushing back without burning bridges
• The power of “start, stop, continue” when reevaluating your workload
• Why most job descriptions are broken—and what that says about expectations

💡 Key Takeaways

• Ghost growth is real—but it can be leveraged for meaningful development if handled with care.
• Leaders must co-own the problem, not just hand it off. It’s not just “here’s more work”—it’s “how do we solve for this together?”
• Scope creep without strategy leads to burnout, not growth. Honest, upfront conversations are essential.
• Employees have more agency than they think. The key is negotiating from curiosity and alignment—not reactivity.
• Incentives don’t always mean raises. Promotions, ownership, and time off often hold more value.

❓ Questions That Mattered

• Where does ghost growth actually come from—and how should leaders address it?
• What options exist beyond “say no” or “accept and drown”?
• How can middle managers protect their team’s well-being while navigating top-down pressure?
• What frameworks help employees reframe overwhelming asks as growth opportunities?
• Why do leaders default to “adding” instead of “subtracting”—and what’s the cost?

🗣️ Notable Quotes

“Growth happens under tension. But if you're not careful, you're just creating stress—not development.” —Erik

“There’s this false binary: say no and be punished, or say yes and drown. There are at least 17 other options.” —Alli

“Most people are more motivated by personal brand growth than a few extra dollars.” —Erik

“You don’t have to respond right away. You’re allowed to pause, reflect, and come back with a plan.” —Alli

“We’re wired to add, not subtract. But real leadership sometimes means removing more than it means adding.” —Alli

🔗 Links & Resources

• Listen to other episodes co-hosted with Alli