So many leaders know how to win the race—but few know what to do after crossing the finish line.

In this powerful episode, Neal unpacks one of the most overlooked leadership pitfalls: the obsession with acquisition over sustainability. Whether it's hiring top talent, launching a new product, or scaling a business—what you get isn't nearly as important as what you can keep.

Neal explores what he calls the "Get vs. Keep" principle and shows how leaders often fail to count the second cost—the hidden, ongoing investment it takes to maintain success, retain talent, and fulfill the original promise. You’ll learn how to shift from being a shooting star to becoming a rising sun in your organization—and why mature leaders always lead with sustainment in mind.

This episode is for business leaders, team builders, and decision-makers who are done chasing the next big thing—and ready to build with wisdom. 👊

🔥 Key Takeaways

• Acquisition is momentum, but sustainment is stewardship

• Many leaders unknowingly sabotage their team with too many unfinished initiatives

• Retention costs often outweigh acquisition costs—and most businesses never track them

• Systems should be built around processes, not people

• Great leaders don’t just go big—they go deep and they stay

Chapters:

• 00:17 - The Get and The Keep
• 02:59 - The Cost of Obtaining vs. Sustaining
• 13:46 - Identifying Bottlenecks in Leadership
• 15:37 - Understanding Customer Retention Costs
• 20:00 - Understanding Business Pitfalls and Solutions
• 27:54 - Leadership Vision: The Difference Between Immature and Mature Leaders
• 36:44 - The Importance of Vacation in Employee Wellbeing
• 40:04 - Leading with Sustainment in Mind
• 44:22 - Final Thoughts and Encouragement

💥 Leadership Truth Bombs

• “Too many leaders chase the win but don’t lead beyond the finish line.”

• “Sustaining is a team sport. Leaders must think in systems, not just sprints.”

• “Acquisition is momentum—sustainment is stewardship.”

• “Great leaders don’t just go big. They go deep. And they stay.”

Mentioned in this episode:

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