Is trying to out-plan volatility the biggest mistake leaders are making right now?
In this episode, Eric Termuende joins Benji Carlson to unpack why making “big bets” in uncertain times might be the wrong strategy — and what leaders should do instead.
They dive into:
- Why most strategic bets are probably wrong
- The difference between 1% better and 1-degree shifts
- How to build teams that thrive in turbulence
- Why fragility — not AI — is the real threat
- How to manage your mindset when the future feels overwhelming
If you’re leading in today’s rapidly changing world, this conversation will fundamentally shift how you think about risk, innovation, and team building.
00:00 – The tidal wave of change leaders are feeling
03:44 – The “lily pad” strategy for uncertainty
08:50 – “We train a Toyota and a Ferrari leaves”
10:13 – Forget 1% better. Think 1 degree.
17:08 – “You’re wrong.” Why big strategic bets fail
23:36 – Why better questions unlock better ideas
35:30 – The 3-circle framework for anxiety
38:14 – Leadership during turbulence
39:25 – The wrong question about the future
What is The LeanScaper Podcast?
The LeanScaper Podcast is where serious landscape leaders go to grow.
If you want new school systems for an old school industry, expertly crafted interviews with world class experts, endless inspiration you’ve come to the right place.
Hosted by Benji Carlson and Mark Bradley. New Episodes release every Monday, on every platform.