n this episode of The In-House Retreat, Michael Glatts talks with Jon Bassford about why founders and leaders often struggle with process, operations, and change as their organizations grow. Jon explains that many businesses focus heavily on sales and marketing while overlooking the internal systems that actually make sustainable growth possible.
A major theme of the conversation is learning to let go. Jon explains that founders often begin by doing everything themselves, but eventually the business outgrows what one person can control. Growth requires trusting the team, creating better systems, and giving other people space to contribute their own expertise.
Jon also introduces the idea of curiosity-driven leadership. Instead of assuming the current process is the best one, leaders should continually ask questions, challenge habits, and involve their teams in finding better ways to work. He argues that employees—including new hires—can often see problems and opportunities that longtime team members overlook.
Michael and Jon discuss how meaningful innovation does not always require huge investments.
Sometimes a small operational change can solve the real problem. Jon shares the example of Amazon moving workers from the floor to packing tables, showing how curiosity can uncover a simpler and more effective solution.
They also explore why people resist change. Jon explains that fear, habit, and ego can make leaders and employees defensive, even when the current system clearly is not working. He shares how changing his language from “change” to “redirection” helped employees become more open to new ideas.
In this episode:
● Why founders struggle to let go of control
● How better processes support sustainable growth
● What curiosity-driven leadership looks like
● Why new employees can bring valuable perspectives
● How small changes can create major improvements
● Why people resist change
● The importance of asking better questions
● Why leaders should stop being the only problem solver
● How failure and discomfort can create growth
● Why great leaders should act more like conductors than performers
Jon closes by encouraging leaders to stay curious, take culture seriously, and keep moving forward even when they do not have all the answers.
