Founder Independence
Bernd Geropp: Leadership and Management Expert
Founder Independence is for founders and business owners who feel their company depends on them for every decision, every escalation, and every problem. As the business grows, that dependence gets worse—and so does the stress. This show focuses on one question: how do you build a company that runs professionally without you being the bottleneck?
This isn't motivation or quick tips. It's practical systems work: removing decision bottlenecks, stopping problems from always traveling upward, and building consistent execution that doesn't require the founder to be involved in everything. We'll also break down why "just hire better people" and "just delegate more" fails when the sequence and structure are wrong.
You'll hear a mix of formats: deep-dive conversations with Bernd Geropp and Brian Creager (moderator and sparring partner), interviews with founders and experts who have solved parts of the puzzle, and occasional solo episodes when a topic demands it. Each episode aims to move you one step closer to true founder independence—system by system.
This isn't motivation or quick tips. It's practical systems work: removing decision bottlenecks, stopping problems from always traveling upward, and building consistent execution that doesn't require the founder to be involved in everything. We'll also break down why "just hire better people" and "just delegate more" fails when the sequence and structure are wrong.
You'll hear a mix of formats: deep-dive conversations with Bernd Geropp and Brian Creager (moderator and sparring partner), interviews with founders and experts who have solved parts of the puzzle, and occasional solo episodes when a topic demands it. Each episode aims to move you one step closer to true founder independence—system by system.
Episodes
Mentioned books
Nov 20, 2018 • 12min
LME016 - Meeting Deadlines? Here's how to do it!
Here you'll find the shownotes: https://www.berndgeropp.com/episode016 Missed deadlines, unkept promises or delayed projects can be a desaster. Here are 10 essential tips for successfully meeting deadlines: Only commit to what you can do. Put it in writing. Identify the purpose. Learn to say "NO". Agree on specific deadlines. Set deadlines for milestones. Keep others informed. Always plan with contingencies. Don't try to be perfect. Get help early. Are you ready to become the leader you've always wanted to be? Subscribe to my leadership community of likeminded leaders and managers and get regular advice, tips and inspiration. Just go to berndgeropp.com/subscribe
Nov 13, 2018 • 13min
lme015 - Leadership Mistakes: The Top Ten - Part II
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 by leaders and managers in small companies as well as in the corporate world. We already spoke about the first five of them. In this episode we talk about the other five mistakes, you need to avoid: Acting unfairly and unjustly! Not standing by your word! Only trusting numbers, data and facts! Demand zero mistakes! Giving employees no opportunities to develop! Are you ready to become the leader you've always wanted to be? Subscribe to my leadership community of likeminded leaders and managers and get regular advice, tips and inspiration. Just go to berndgeropp.com/subscribe
Nov 7, 2018 • 14min
lme014 - Leadership Mistakes: The Top Ten - Part I
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 by leaders and managers in small companies as well as in the corporate world. In this episode we start with the five of them: Avoiding making decisions Being not engaged or committed Not listening Micromanaging A conceited view of yourself Are you ready to become the leader you've always wanted to be? Subscribe to my leadership community of likeminded leaders and managers and get regular advice, tips and inspiration. Just go to berndgeropp.com/subscribe
Oct 30, 2018 • 35min
LME013 - Delivering powerful feedback with Jill Schiefelbein
Here you'll find the shownotes: https://www.berndgeropp.com/episode013 With Jill Schiefelbein I talk about the biggest mistakes which happen when people give feedback in the workplace. Our topics today: How can managers successfully criticese without being rude or offending? How can they still make a clear statement? What do you need to take care of when doing a formal performance review? How can an employee criticise his or her boss without hurting the relationship? Are you ready to become the leader you've always wanted to be? Subscribe to my leadership community of likeminded leaders and managers and get regular advice, tips and inspiration. Just go to berndgeropp.com/subscribe
Oct 23, 2018 • 13min
LME012 - How to give feedback.
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 your employees to develop and to improve. They need constructive feedback for this – both positive and negative. Our topics today: Formulate Feedback in an „I" statement Give Feedback, especially criticism, preferably in privat. Make it specific and contructive. Don't give too much feedback at once. Give feedback promptly, but only if the other person is open to it. Are you ready to become the leader you've always wanted to be? Subscribe to my leadership community of likeminded leaders and managers and get regular advice, tips and inspiration. Just go to berndgeropp.com/subscribe
Oct 16, 2018 • 40min
LME011 - Self Awareness and how to build better teams
Here you'll find the shownotes: https://www.berndgeropp.com/episode011 Self awareness is most important for a good leader. Having the ability to recognize what you are good at and where you're not so good at is crucial. Today I interview Jessica Pettitt about this topic. Our topics today: What is Self Awareness? How can we become more self aware? How can we build high performing teams? Are you ready to become the leader you've always wanted to be? Subscribe to my leadership community of likeminded leaders and managers and get regular advice, tips and inspiration. Just go to berndgeropp.com/subscribe
Oct 9, 2018 • 11min
LME010 - Feedback about employee performance
Here you'll find the shownotes: https://www.berndgeropp.com/episode010 How can you make a clear statement without hurting people's feelings? Take care that you appreciate good work, but tell clearly what needs to be improved. Our topics today: What you need to avoid when giving feedback. Why feedback purely focused on respect is not enough. How helpful feedback really sounds. Are you ready to become the leader you've always wanted to be? Subscribe to my leadership community of likeminded leaders and managers and get regular advice, tips and inspiration. Just go to berndgeropp.com/subscribe
Oct 2, 2018 • 40min
LME009 - The Image of Leadership - Interview with Sylvie di Giusto
Here you'll find the shownotes: https://www.berndgeropp.com/episode009 Today we talk about the image of leadership. How can you develop your professional imprint and become the leader that you deserve to be? I invited the expert on this topic for an interview: Sylvie di Giusto Our Topics today: What can you do to make a great first impression as a person and especially as a leader? What is the "A-B-C-D" of your imprint? There is no "one size fits all" formula and no typical dress code anymore. So, what can you do? Are you ready to become the leader you've always wanted to be? Subscribe to my leadership community of likeminded leaders and managers and get regular advice, tips and inspiration. Just go to berndgeropp.com/subscribe
Sep 24, 2018 • 15min
LME008 - Performance Based Bonus - What you ought to know about it.
Here you'll find the shownotes: https://www.berndgeropp.com/episode008 Variable compensation is often referred to as performance based salary or performance related pay. What is the underlying idea behind it? Does it really work? Well, it depends... Our Topics today: Does performance based bonus work for small companies? What are the objectives of performance based payments? How compensations structures in big companies look like. Objective discussions turn into income negotiations. When can bonus systems be useful? Are you ready to become the leader you've always wanted to be? Subscribe to my leadership community of likeminded leaders and managers and get regular advice, tips and inspiration. Just go to berndgeropp.com/subscribe
Sep 18, 2018 • 14min
LME007 - How does employee motivation actually work?
Here you'll find the shownotes: https://www.berndgeropp.com/episode007 As a manager you impact the employee motivation and employee commitment in your company – but in ways other than what you may think... Our Topics today: Can you buy employee motivation? The crux with bonus payments. Intrinsic and extrinsic motivation. 5 points to get motivated employees. Are you ready to become the leader you've always wanted to be? Subscribe to my leadership community of likeminded leaders and managers and get regular advice, tips and inspiration. Just go to berndgeropp.com/subscribe
