The Unconventional Guide to B2B Business Growth: Do Nothing

“Move fast and break things” might be the mantra in some circles, but what if I told you the secret to sustainable growth in B2B business might actually be… doing nothing? Sounds odd, right? We live in a business culture where constant motion feels like the only way forward. Sales calls, endless pitches, aggressive ad campaigns—it’s all about making noise. But sometimes, the smartest move you can make is to sit back and wait.

I know, it’s not exactly intuitive. But let me explain with a little help from a TV show I’ve been re-watching with my wife. Ever seen Boardwalk Empire? There’s a scene with Arnold Rothstein that lays this idea out perfectly.

Lessons from Boardwalk Empire: Rothstein's Masterclass in Patience

Who knew a Prohibition-era gangster could teach us something about business? In one episode of Boardwalk Empire, Nucky Thompson finds himself in a tight spot. He’s under federal indictment, his finances are tied up, and his enemies are circling. Desperate, he turns to his peers for advice. One of them, Johnny Torrio, suggests the classic mob solution: “Kill the prick.” But Rothstein, the cool, calculated gambler, offers a different idea: “Do nothing.”

This isn’t about indecision or weakness. Rothstein, known for his razor-sharp gambling instincts, explains that sometimes the smartest play is to simply wait. Here’s his logic:

WATCH: Arnold Rothstein`s speech from Boardwalk Empire Season 2

Torrio:  “What are you gonna do?”

Nucky:  “What would you do, John?”

Torrio:  “Kill the prick,”

Nucky:  “I’m under indictment. The Feds are up my ass…”

Torrio:  “Then take it with you. Retire somewhere.”

Nucky: “Take what? All my money’s tied up in a land deal.”

Rothstein: “Do nothing.”

Nucky:  “I beg your pardon?”

Rothstein:  “You have no move, Mr. Thompson. You do nothing.”

Torrio:  “He’s under attack, Arnold.”

Rothstein:  “All the more reason for patience. I’ve made my living, Mr. Thompson, in large part as a gambler. Some days, I make 20 bets. Some days, I make none. There are weeks, sometimes months in fact, when I make no bets at all because there simply is no play. So I wait, plan, marshall my resources and when I finally see an opportunity and there is a bet to make, I bet it all.”

The takeaway? Strategic patience. You don’t need to always be doing something to move forward. Often, stepping back and letting things play out can give you the clarity to act with precision when the time is right.

Real Businesses That Mastered the Art of Waiting

While Rothstein’s advice might sound risky, it’s a philosophy that’s guided some of the most successful companies we know today.

Slack: A Pivot Born in Patience

Before Slack was the go-to tool for workplace communication, it was Tiny Speck—a company trying to build an online game called Glitch. When the game failed, they didn’t rush into another big project. Instead, they took a step back and asked, “What’s working?” The answer: their internal messaging system. That deliberate pause helped them pivot into what we now know as Slack.

Dropbox: Slow and Steady Wins

In a crowded market of cloud storage solutions, Dropbox didn’t try to race ahead by adding flashy features. Instead, they focused on perfecting the basics: a clean, seamless user experience. Their patience allowed them to gradually build trust and loyalty, turning them into a leader in the space.

Mailchimp: From Side Project to Giant

Mailchimp started as a small side project, never aiming to dominate the email marketing world. Instead of rushing to scale, they carefully refined their product based on real customer feedback. Over time, that thoughtful growth strategy turned them into a household name for marketers.

The Cost of Moving Too Fast

Not every company has the discipline to slow down, and the consequences can be brutal.

1. Diluted Brands
   Expanding too quickly often leads to a confusing brand identity. Customers don’t know what you stand for, and before you know it, your core message gets lost in the noise.
2. Ignoring Feedback
   Rushing to launch products without understanding user needs can backfire. Negative reviews spread faster than wildfire, and damage control is costly.
3. Financial Recklessness
   Pouring resources into poorly researched campaigns or hasty expansions can drain your budget and leave you scrambling to recover.

Abe Lincoln Wasn’t a Gangster, But He Agreed

If a 1920s gangster doesn’t resonate with you, how about Abraham Lincoln? He once said, “Give me six hours to chop down a tree, and I will spend the first four sharpening the axe.” That’s patience in action. Lincoln understood that preparation—not mindless effort—is what gets results. In B2B, that means planning your moves carefully, waiting for the right moment, and executing with precision.

Why We Struggle with Patience

Here’s the thing: doing nothing feels wrong. Blame evolution. Our ancestors had to act fast to survive—whether it was hunting prey or avoiding predators. That instinct for constant action has stuck with us, and in today’s hyper-connected world, it’s amplified by FOMO (fear of missing out). But here’s the kicker: when we’re always reacting, we rarely make good decisions.

Taking a step back gives us the mental space to see opportunities more clearly and align our actions with long-term goals instead of short-term pressures.

Networking: The Smartest “Do Nothing” You Can Do

Doing nothing doesn’t mean sitting on your hands. It’s about smart, focused action—and nothing is smarter than building relationships. That’s where B2B podcasting comes in. Hosting a podcast is one of the most effective ways to connect with industry leaders, grow your network, and lay the groundwork for future opportunities.

Here’s why podcasting is a goldmine:

• Genuine Connections: Inviting a thought leader onto your show isn’t just an interview. It’s a chance to build a real relationship.
• Strategic Insights: Those post-recording chats often lead to partnerships, collaborations, and new ideas you’d never get in a traditional meeting.
• Exponential Growth: One great guest brings their network along with them, creating a ripple effect of opportunities.

As Jim Rohn said, “You are the average of the five people you spend the most time with.” Surround yourself with smart, successful people, and their wisdom will shape your decisions.

The Bottom Line: Waiting Isn’t Wasting

Arnold Rothstein’s philosophy isn’t about laziness. It’s about understanding the power of timing. When you wait for the right moment and strike with confidence, the results can be transformative.

So the next time you’re tempted to act for the sake of acting, pause. Ask yourself: Is this the right move, or should I wait? It takes courage to do nothing, but as Rothstein, Lincoln, and some of the most successful companies in history have shown, sometimes patience is the most powerful tool in your arsenal.

Remember: waiting doesn’t mean sitting still. It means preparing, strategizing, and being ready to go all in when the moment comes. Your B2B empire is built not on endless hustle, but on the boldness of knowing when to act—and when to wait.

Listen to The Thoughtful Entrepreneur Podcast