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, the driving force, but that also means the business can’t run without them.

In this episode, we explore the hardest transformation for any founder: moving from doing everything yourself to building leaders who take ownership.

You’ll learn:

• Why letting go is more emotional than strategic

• How to build a strong senior leadership team you can truly trust

• The five steps to create an ownership culture in your company

• How to shift from control to trust and from maker to mentor

If your company depends too much on you, this episode will help you see what needs to change and how to make it happen.

Shownotes:
https://www.berndgeropp.com/from-founder-to-leader

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 high-stakes environments you can imagine.

Bill is also a storyteller and podcast host. His show Submarine Sea Stories takes you deep below the surface into life aboard a submarine, while The Nuclear Leader Podcast explores leadership lessons from the nuclear industry that apply far beyond the reactor room.

In our conversation, we’ll talk about what it’s like to lead in highly regulated, high-risk industries, how trust and relationships can make or break your team, and why creativity still matters even in the most structured environments.

If you want to hear more of Bill’s insights and stories, I highly recommend you check them out at submarineseastories or nuclearleader.com

Shownotes:
https://www.berndgeropp.com/leading-under-pressure

Why Misunderstandings Happen – And How to Avoid Them as a Leader

Clear communication is the foundation of good leadership – but clarity is often assumed rather than achieved. In this episode, you’ll learn:

• Why “saying something clearly” doesn’t guarantee it will be understood.

• How the communication loop works – and where leaders go wrong.

• A simple but powerful feedback technique to avoid misunderstandings.

• Why choosing the right medium (spoken vs. written) makes a huge difference.

• Five practical leadership tips to reduce miscommunication in your team.

Misunderstandings don’t just waste time – they cause frustration, conflict, and demotivation. As a leader, it’s your responsibility to make sure your team truly understands your intentions.

👉 Want to dive deeper into practical leadership skills like this?
Check out my Leadership Crash Course: a step-by-step program for first-time managers and business owners who want to lead with confidence and clarity.

🔗 Learn more and sign up here: https://www.berndgeropp.com/leadership-crash-course/