The answer to this question is quite simple; they are both equally as valuable and are part and parcel of the same concept. Both these concepts are way too important to tease a part and say one is more important than the other. Without validation a person’s growth is stunted. Studies have shown that people who have validation and a great support system have more of a chance at growing to their full potential then people who do not have this opportunity.
The whole issue begins in early childhood. In order for children to grow in spirit and intellect, they must have nurturing parents or caregivers. These people are responsible for more of child’s development then they ever dreamed possible. Children learn from their parents and caregivers and their basic identity is formed by what others think or say or behave towards them.
A child’s basic or core personality is said to form by the age of 5 - This was established by Dr. Sigmund Freud and is one of the few theories he developed which has not been refuted at this time.
Child psychologists pretty much still maintain this theory.
Children need to be validated to grow with healthy minds, strong self-esteem, and so on. When they do, they are the most successful adults. However, sometimes they do not have the love, support and validation they need. When that happens they grow up with low self-esteem. They do not believe in themselves or they do not love themselves or even think that they are nor very worthwhile people in this world. People with low self-esteem are often afraid to take on the challenges of life. For example an adult might remain a factory worker, because he or she feels too stupid to go to university. This is something this person has picked up as a child or teenager because his parent, teacher, or school peers told him or her that and after all these years the person still believes it.
Low self-esteem is a very big issue and an obstacle preventing personal growth. People who have low self-esteem often make choices based on the fact that they feel they are not good enough to do other things. Another example of a poor choice made because of low self esteem would be, people who settles for a mate they not love only because they feel that nobody else would want them.
So without validation the person does not grow into a healthy frame of mind. However, the good news is that this can change; even people with low self-esteem can gain self-esteem through believing in themselves, getting validation from others, or from seeking therapy.
So to answer your question validation and growth go hand in hand.
