Sam Jacobs, AJ Bruno, and Asad Zaman unpack what it means to lead through uncertainty in a time of rapid change. They reflect on Q2 wins, the emotional cost of ambition, and why founders are feeling more anxious than ever.
From letting go of the SaaS playbook to adapting in real time, they explore how AI is reshaping leadership, team culture, and what “good” revenue looks like. Plus: the decline of CS, the rise of forward-deployed engineers, and how to build when nothing feels stable.
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Key chapters:
(00:00) - Welcome and Pulse Check
(01:14) - Celebrating Q2 Successes
(02:57) - Navigating Business Transitions
(03:59) - Hitting Numbers and Investing for Growth
(04:47) - The Stress of Numbers and Daily Anxiety
(05:47) - Balancing Ambition with Gratitude
(07:00) - The Power of Pattern Interrupts and Support
(07:38) - Is Ambition Always Dissatisfaction?
(09:00) - Finding Fulfillment in the Journey
(13:12) - The Beauty of Risk and Uncertainty
(15:00) - The Astrologer and Fate vs. Free Will
(23:00) - Charting the Uncertain Second Half
(34:00) - Culture Change and Organizational Agility
(43:28) - The Rise of Forward Deployed Engineers & Services Revenue
(54:00) - The Future of Customer Success and Bearishness on Job Markets
