In this insightful and candid conversation, Paul is joined by Rob Liddiard—former CEO turned EOS implementer—to explore the harsh realities of post-acquisition leadership. Drawing on his extensive experience helping searcher CEOs implement EOS, Rob shares sharp observations about the pitfalls many new owner-operators fall into.
Based on his viral LinkedIn post, "The Seven Sins of Post-Deal Leadership," the duo unpack the most common and damaging mistakes made in the early days of ownership.
They discuss:
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Why searchers often swing between abdication and micromanagement
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The hidden cost of fuzzy expectations
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Building a talent bench before you need one
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Managing your internal team vs. managing up to investors
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Real stories and actionable advice for avoiding costly operational missteps
Whether you're preparing for your first acquisition or navigating year one in the operator seat, this episode delivers a brutally honest yet encouraging roadmap for sustainable, effective leadership.
Read Rob's excellent LinkedIn post on the same topic here.
Also, for anyone new to the podcast, Rob helps Paul implement EOS in his acquired business as well as several other ETA CEO's. He offers a free introductory session to all listeners, just reach out to him on LinkedIn or rob@mission-group.co.uk
Finally, if you are a UK searcher looking to accelerate your acquisition journey. We are running our next acquisition accelerator cohort in Feb/March and early bird tickets are now live and selling fast. Get yours here
