"Fix fast if you must… but redesign slowly on purpose."
In this episode, Matt Campobasso uses his background as a father of three and a full-time attorney for a $1 billion company to make a compelling case for moving "upstream". Using the famous Dan Heath fable of the two fishermen, Matt explores the critical difference between being a hero who saves the day and an architect who prevents the crisis in the first place.
Whether you are managing a global legal function or a household, the lesson is the same: repeated problems are not just bad luck—they are data. If you are tired of living in a state of constant "firefighting," it is time to look at the systems producing those fires.
The Hero vs. The Architect: Why downstream work gets rewarded loudly, but upstream work provides the freedom of avoided chaos.
Sustainable Velocity: How true organizational speed is built on repeatability rather than adrenaline.
Upstream Parenting: A look at "love with a long time horizon," including Matt’s 2026 initiative to teach his children fiscal responsibility through practical games rather than lectures.
The "Firefighter" Rebuttal: Matt addresses common objections, such as the feeling that we "don't have time" to think upstream while the house is currently on fire.
Matt provides four practical habits you can start tomorrow to change your posture from reactive to proactive:
The Repeat Offender List: Identifying patterns in your recurring problems.
The 10-Minute Prevention Meeting: A weekly habit to ask why things broke and how to build a guardrail.
The Pre-Mortem Question: Spotting risk before you hit "go" on a project.
The Parenting Script: Equipping your kids with the tools to handle the next situation.
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