This episode marks a turning point.
My podcast is changing.
In fact, it’s a clear repositioning of the podcast.
What used to be Leadership Made Easy is now called Founder Independence.
Why the Podcast Was Renamed
Over time, it became obvious to me that the real problem most founders and leaders face isn’t a lack of leadership tips.
It’s something deeper.
Many SME companies are stuck because everything runs through the founder:
- Decisions get delayed
- Teams wait instead of acting
- Leaders become bottlenecks instead of enablers
Consuming more leadership content doesn’t fix that.
More motivation doesn’t either.
That’s why the podcast was renamed.
Founder Independence stands for a very specific idea:
Building leadership systems, structures, and organizations that work without constant founder involvement.
This podcast is no longer about making leadership “easy.”
It’s about making companies founder independent.
A New Co-Host: Brian Creager
Another important change is the addition of a co-host.
Going forward, episodes will be co-hosted by my good American friend and strategic partner Brian Creager.
Brian brings a second perspective to the conversations as a sparring partner. The goal is sharper thinking, better questions, and fewer blind spots.
What This Podcast Is About Going Forward
Founder Independence focuses on one central question:
How can SME founders build a company that runs and grows profitably without being the bottleneck?
That means we’ll talk about:
- Leadership systems
- Decision-making structures
- Clear roles, accountability, and ownership inside teams
The format will vary:
- Deep-dive conversations
- Interviews with founders and experts
- Solo episodes when a topic requires precision
But the direction is clear.
Who This Podcast Is For
This podcast is for founders and leaders who:
- Are tired of being involved in everything
- Want their company to scale without burning out
- Are ready to replace improvisation with structure
If you’re looking for quick leadership hacks, this podcast is not for you.
If you want your company to function without you constantly pushing it forward — welcome.
That’s what Founder Independence is about.
The Core Insight of This Episode
The key message of this episode is simple and uncomfortable:
If your company depends on you, you don’t have a leadership problem.
You have a system problem.
Many founders believe they need to:
- Communicate better
- Motivate more
- Be more present
In reality, their organization is designed in a way that forces dependency.
- People wait because they’re trained to wait
- Decisions bottleneck because authority is unclear
- Progress slows because ownership is missing
Leadership alone cannot solve that.
Only systems, structure, and strategic design can.
If this episode resonated with you, share it with another business owner who’s facing the same challenge.
And if you’d like to talk about your specific situation, send me an email at bernd@berndgeropp.com.
