Founder Independence
Episodes
FI013 - The Right Time to Hire Leaders
22 Apr 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Discover practical leadership lessons from Tyler Jefcoat's entrepreneurial journey, including managing partnerships, scaling business models, and navi...
FI012 - Tyler Jefcoat: Relationships are infinitely unscalable.
15 Apr 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Discover practical leadership lessons from Tyler Jefcoat's entrepreneurial journey, including managing partnerships, scaling business models, and navi...
FI011 - The 5 Levels of Founder Independence: Diagnosing Systemic Dependence
08 Apr 2026
Contributed by Lukas
This episode explores how founders can diagnose and overcome founder dependence in their companies. Bernd shares insights on systemic issues, diagnosi...
FI010 - How Founders Can Build Strong Teams without Losing Control
01 Apr 2026
Contributed by Lukas
This episode explores the critical skills and mindset founders need to effectively lead their teams, from managing individual contributors to leading ...
FI009 - The 3 Structural Pillars for Founder Independence
25 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
This episode explores how founders can build scalable companies by implementing effective structures. Berndt discusses the importance of processes, ro...
FI008 - Vision
18 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, Brian Creager and Bernd Gerrop delve into the concept of vision as a foundational element for founder independence. They discuss the ...
FI007 - Strategic Positioning
11 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of Founder Independence, Brian Creager and Bernd Gerropp discuss the critical relationship between strategic positioning and leadershi...
FI006 - Self Leadership
04 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Summary In this episode of Founder Independence, Brian Krieger and Berndt Garrop discuss the critical relationship between strategic positioning and l...
FI005 - The 5-Level Leadership Model
25 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
In this conversation, Brian Creager and Bernd Geropp discuss the critical aspects of leadership in growing companies, emphasizing the importance of st...
FI004 Independence is Not Just Delegation
18 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
In this conversation, Bernd Geropp discusses the critical role of clear roles and expectations in effective delegation. He emphasizes that many organi...
FI003 Why Leadership Fails Without Systems
11 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, Brian Creager and Bernd Geropp discuss the common misconceptions about leadership failures among founders. They argue that leadership...
FI002 Breaking the Bottleneck: Founder Independence
04 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Summary In this conversation, Brian Creager and Bernd discuss the challenges faced by founders, particularly the overwhelming workload and the cogniti...
FI001 Why Leadership Breaks as Your Company Grows
28 Jan 2026
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, Brian Creager and Bernd Geropp discuss the concept of Founder Independence, emphasizing the need for founders to transition from bein...
LME 065 - When "Just HR" Isn't Enough Anymore
29 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, we talk about why growing companies need a real HR function. One that's not just about contracts and compliance, but about people, le...
LME 064 - From Founder to Leader - Learning to Let Go
25 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Many entrepreneurs reach a point where the very strengths that built their company start holding it back. They're still the expert, the problem-solver...
LME 063 - Leading Under Pressure – Lessons from the Nuclear and Submarine World - Interview with Bill Nowicki
10 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
My guest is Bill Nowicki. He is a former U.S. Navy submariner and nuclear power leader who has spent decades working in some of the most complex and h...
LME 062 - Why Misunderstandings Happen - And How to Avoid Them as a Leader
03 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Why Misunderstandings Happen – And How to Avoid Them as a Leader Clear communication is the foundation of good leadership – but clarity is often a...
LME 061 - The 3 Biggest Fears Leaders Have About AI - And the Truth Behind Them
27 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Today we break down why AI doesn't replace great leadership – but it brutally exposes average and slow leadership. I share the 3 biggest fears leade...
LME 060 - Make Work Easier - The Process Driven Way with Layla Pomper
20 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, I talk with Layla Pomper, founder of ProcessDriven and expert in building simple, scalable systems for small teams. Layla shares her ...
LME 059 - A Summer Pause with Perspective
31 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this special, more personal episode of Leadership Made Easy, I share why I'm taking a conscious summer break – and what exciting projects are com...
LME 058 - How to Stay Calm Under Pressure - Even as a Leader
02 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
As a leader, your ability to stay calm in stressful situations sets the tone for your entire team. In this episode, I share why calmness is a crucial ...
LME 057 - Hustle Harder" Is Dead. Here's Why…
25 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
For years, entrepreneurs were told: "Work harder, work longer, sacrifice more… and you'll make it." But here's the hard truth I learned from one of ...
LME 056 - What Makes A Great Leader? Start By Asking What Makes A Good Employee.
18 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Before you think about vision, charisma, or big-picture strategy, ask yourself: "What makes a good employee?" Most people say things like: ✅ They ta...
LME 055 - Big Goals: Why Thinking Small Won't Get You Far
04 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Most managers and entrepreneurs set goals they know they can achieve. Because it's safe. Because it feels realistic. But here's the truth: Small goal...
LME 054 - Behind The Scenes: Honest Conversation Betweeen Two Leadership Coaches
31 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
I recently sat down with my long-time colleague and leadership expert Dr. Burkhard Bensmann for a very personal and honest conversation. We didn't tal...
LME 053 - What Every Business Owner Should Know Before Entering the U.S. Market
21 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this special episode of Leadership Made Easy, we take a step back from our usual focus on day-to-day leadership and zoom out to discuss internation...
LME 052 - Stop Throwing New Managers Into The Deep End
14 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
So why do so many companies throw new managers into their roles with zero onboarding? The result? Confused leaders, frustrated teams—and top perfo...
LME 051 - The Power of One-on-Ones
07 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Today, we're diving into a simple, yet incredibly powerful leadership tool that many overlook: One-on-Ones. If you don't already have regular One-on-O...
LME 050 - The First 100 Days As A Leader - How To Succeed In Your New Role
30 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
The first 100 days as a leader set the stage for everything that follows. By focusing on clarity, relationships, and balanced progress, you can make a...
LME 049 - Best Team Ever: How to Build a High Performing Team Without A Big Budget
23 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this exclusive interview, leadership expert and bestselling author David Burkus shares powerful and practical strategies for building high-performi...
LME 048 - Debunking 7 Leadership Myths That Hold You Back
16 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Shownotes: https://www.berndgeropp.com/debunking-leadership-myths VIP Early Access to my Leadership Crashcourse: Secure your exclusive spot n...
LME 047 - My Personal Learnings From The Past 3 Weeks
29 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode I talk about my personal impressions, encounters, and entrepreneurial experiences from the last 3 weeks traveling in India, Mastermind...
LME 046 - Help! My Boss Is Terrible - What Can I Do?
20 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of Leadership Made Easy, we dive into a challenge many professionals face: dealing with a bad boss. But what actually makes a boss "ba...
LME 045 - Time For What Really Matters
11 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Today we talk about how leaders can reclaim time for what truly matters, both professionally and personally. By implementing immediate actions like co...
LME 044 - The Vision Journey: A Powerful Method To Gain Clarity And Direction
04 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Have you ever struggled to bridge the gap between logic and emotion in your decision-making? Or wondered how visionary thinking can unlock new opportu...
LME 043 - The Toughest Leadership Challenge – And How to Overcome It
26 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Today we dive into the No #1 challenge of leaders: role conflicts. We talk about practical ways to handle these dilemmas with confidence. Secure you...
LME 042 - Flawless Onboarding: How To Set New Hires Up For Success
19 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
A well-structured onboarding process can make or break employee retention. What can you do to set new hires up for success? Onboarding Checklist: http...
LME041 - How To Earn Respect As A Leader
12 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Many people think respect comes from being nice. Wrong. Respect isn't just a polite smile – it's the result of clarity, trust, and decisiveness. Sho...
LME040 - How Many People Can You Effectively Lead?
05 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
It's a question that comes up in leadership discussions time and again: What's the ideal number of direct reports a leader should have? The answer isn...
LME 039 - How to Set Clear Expectations for Your Team
29 Jan 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Shownotes: https://www.berndgeropp.com/setting-clear-expectations In today's episode, we're diving into a topic that might seem simple but is often...
LME 038 - Who Should You Promote?
22 Jan 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Shownotes: https://www.berndgeropp.com/who-should-you-promote Checklist: Who to promote?: https://www.berndgeropp.com/checklist-evaluate-leaders In...
LME 037 - My Experience with AI So Far
15 Jan 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Shownotes: https://www.berndgeropp.com/my-experience-with-ai Today, I want to share a personal story and my current thoughts on artificial intellig...
LME 036 - My Remote Work Experience - Lessons Learned
08 Jan 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Shownotes: https://www.berndgeropp.com/remote-work-experience Today, I want to dive into a topic that's more relevant than ever: remote work. I'll ...
LME 035 - Leadership in 2025: A Fresh Start After the Break
01 Jan 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Shownotes: https://www.berndgeropp.com/leadership-in-2025 Welcome back to 'Leadership Made Easy, the podcast where we simplify the art of lead...
LME 034 - Tips For First-Time Managers
27 Jun 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Today I talk with Mike Ashie from the YouTube channel: "Leadership with Mike" about tips for first-time managers. Find his YouTube channel Leadership ...
LME 033 - How I Learned To Delegate
26 Jun 2021
Contributed by Lukas
When I founded my first company, a high-tech start-up, together with a partner more than 25 years ago, I had a completely wrong idea of managing...
LME032 - Why I quit my job as a highly paid manager!
24 May 2021
Contributed by Lukas
A manager always works in a sandwich position. I explain my struggles with it and why I decided to leave the corporate world more than 10 years ago. S...
LME-031 - Why one-on-one meetings?
05 Nov 2020
Contributed by Lukas
One-one-one meetings create trust: Why do you need them? What do you actually talk about and how often should you do one-on-ones? Shownotes: https://w...
LME030 - New as a manager: 5 important tips
06 Oct 2020
Contributed by Lukas
When you are new in your manager role, you surely don't want to make any unnecessary mistakes, don't you? You want to become a good manager. To meet t...
lme029 - How to set goals with your employees
11 Aug 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Goal setting with employees is not easy. How can you be successful with it? Here are my 5 most important tips you should know! Find the Shownotes here...
LME028 - What do you wish you knew, before becoming a successful leader?
20 Jul 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Today I invited 5 leaders with different backgrounds. I wanted to know from them, what they wish they knew, before becoming successful leaders. You'll...
LME 027 - One-on-one meetings!
12 Jul 2020
Contributed by Lukas
As a leader you should have one-on-one meetings with your direct reports regularly. But how do you introduce one on ones to your direct reports? How d...
lme026 - Entrepreneurs Rocket Fuel - Interview with Mark C. Winters
12 May 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Today we talk about why it needs not just one but two entrepreneurs to build a successful business and why it is essential that these two have dramati...
lme025 - Leading in times of crisis
12 Apr 2020
Contributed by Lukas
How can you control the chaos? How you can stay calm and positive with in the storm and how can you engage the hearts and minds of your people in toug...
lme024 - How to deal with email overload
18 Jan 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Do you spend a lot of your time with Emails? Are you suffering from email overload? Help is coming. In this episode I give you my best tips on how to ...
LME023 - How to become a better manager
05 Jan 2020
Contributed by Lukas
As a manager today, it isn't enough to just simply focus on results and the financial bottom line. Today you need also to have good human skills to be...
LME22 - What is the purpose of a company?
02 Nov 2019
Contributed by Lukas
The purpose of a company is not to make a profit or to create jobs but to satisfy the needs of customers. It's always about customer value. Why is tha...
LME021 - How to motivate employees in the workplace
28 Sep 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Your employees don't contribute, they lack motivation, but they are always looking for better pay? In this podcast episode I'll show you how to fix th...
LME020 - The No1 Feedback Rule
08 Sep 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Everyone loves to be praised and to be confirmed. Who doesn't like to be praised? With criticism, on the other hand, it's different. If someone explic...
lme019 - How to stay calm at work when under pressure
23 Aug 2019
Contributed by Lukas
It is often not easy to stay calm at work. Nevertheless, there are team leaders and managers that amazingly are able to do this. They radiate a sense ...
lme 018 - Onboarding new employees!
17 Aug 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Today we talk about 3 major mistakes you should avoid when onboarding new employees. You'll find the shownotes of this episode by going to https://ber...
LME017 - How to become a better listener and improve as a leader
27 Nov 2018
Contributed by Lukas
Here you'll find the shownotes: https://www.berndgeropp.com/episode017 Today I'll give you 6 simple tips you can immediately implement to become a bet...
LME016 - Meeting Deadlines? Here's how to do it!
20 Nov 2018
Contributed by Lukas
Here you'll find the shownotes: https://www.berndgeropp.com/episode016 Missed deadlines, unkept promises or delayed projects can be a desaster. Here...
lme015 - Leadership Mistakes: The Top Ten - Part II
13 Nov 2018
Contributed by Lukas
Here you'll find the shownotes: https://www.berndgeropp.com/episode015 Learn how to recognize and avoid the top 10 of the most common mistakes made ...
lme014 - Leadership Mistakes: The Top Ten - Part I
07 Nov 2018
Contributed by Lukas
Here you'll find the shownotes: https://www.berndgeropp.com/episode014 Learn how to recognize and avoid the top 10 of the most common mistakes made ...
LME013 - Delivering powerful feedback with Jill Schiefelbein
30 Oct 2018
Contributed by Lukas
Here you'll find the shownotes: https://www.berndgeropp.com/episode013 With Jill Schiefelbein I talk about the biggest mistakes which happen when pe...
LME012 - How to give feedback.
23 Oct 2018
Contributed by Lukas
Here you'll find the shownotes: https://www.berndgeropp.com/episode012 As a manager, you need to know how to give feedback. It's your job to help yo...
LME011 - Self Awareness and how to build better teams
16 Oct 2018
Contributed by Lukas
Here you'll find the shownotes: https://www.berndgeropp.com/episode011 Self awareness is most important for a good leader. Having the ability to rec...
LME010 - Feedback about employee performance
09 Oct 2018
Contributed by Lukas
Here you'll find the shownotes: https://www.berndgeropp.com/episode010 How can you make a clear statement without hurting people's feelings? Take ca...
LME009 - The Image of Leadership - Interview with Sylvie di Giusto
02 Oct 2018
Contributed by Lukas
Here you'll find the shownotes: https://www.berndgeropp.com/episode009 Today we talk about the image of leadership. How can you develop your professio...
LME008 - Performance Based Bonus - What you ought to know about it.
24 Sep 2018
Contributed by Lukas
Here you'll find the shownotes: https://www.berndgeropp.com/episode008 Variable compensation is often referred to as performance based salary or pe...
LME007 - How does employee motivation actually work?
18 Sep 2018
Contributed by Lukas
Here you'll find the shownotes: https://www.berndgeropp.com/episode007 As a manager you impact the employee motivation and employee commitment in your...
LME 006 - How to create a great vision statement for your company.
13 Sep 2018
Contributed by Lukas
Here you'll find the shownotes: https://www.berndgeropp.com/episode006 What's needed to create a vision statement and what's needed for the vision to ...
LME005 - What is a vision statement and do you need one?
11 Sep 2018
Contributed by Lukas
Here you'll find the shownotes: https://www.berndgeropp.com/episode005 Do you really need a vision statement? What can a business vision do for you? ...
LME004 - Upward Delegation: How to avoid reverse delegation and monkey business
06 Sep 2018
Contributed by Lukas
Here you'll find the shownotes: https://www.berndgeropp.com/episode004 When a task that you have delegated to an employee comes back to you - and you ...
LME003 - Micromanagement? How to avoid it and get things done.
28 Aug 2018
Contributed by Lukas
Here you'll find the shownotes: https://www.berndgeropp.com/episode003 You may think you are not a micromanager. But believe me, chances are high, tha...
LME002 - How to delegate successfully and get time for the important things.
28 Aug 2018
Contributed by Lukas
Here you'll find the shownotes: https://www.berndgeropp.de/episode002 Most managers don't know how to delegate successfully. Why is that? Our topic to...
LME001 - What is leadership and how can you find time for it?
28 Aug 2018
Contributed by Lukas
Here you'll find the shownotes: https://www.berndgeropp.com/episode001 Our topic today: If somebody asked you to explain what is leadership? How woul...
LME000 - What you can expect from this podcast
27 Aug 2018
Contributed by Lukas
This is the intro for my new podcast: Leadership Made Easy. This is the podcast where you learn how to lead a highly effective team, how to make sure,...