Change hits like a wave, and most teams feel it first as fear. We sat down with M&A veteran John Martinka to unpack how to turn that fear into focus when ownership or leadership shifts. Our conversation gets practical fast: reframing uncertainty, rewarding continuity, and communicating with a steady cadence even when legal guardrails limit what you can say.

We walk through the three‑legged stool of trust across employees, seller, and buyer, and why retention bonuses tied to time and performance protect both people and the deal. John explains why buyers invest in teams, not just contracts, and how smart leaders involve key talent early without spooking the organization. We also explore how shop‑floor ideas often hold the best growth levers, and how a new owner’s curiosity plus targeted capital can unlock stalled improvements. From culture risk and turnover to customer stickiness and margin discipline, we connect the dots between people decisions and enterprise value.

If you’ve been asked to present to a prospective buyer, you’ll hear how to share the positive truth: clear wins, real risks, and where capital accelerates value, including measured adoption of AI that augments your team. Founders weighing an exit get a grounded checklist on valuation basics—profitability, growth, customer concentration, tenure, and owner dependency—and how to build a bench so the business thrives without a single linchpin.

Ready to lead through change with confidence and calm consistency? Hit play, subscribe for more leadership deep dives, and share this episode with a colleague who’s navigating a merger or transition. Your review helps more leaders find the show.

Send us a text

Support the show

✅ Follow The Leadership Project on your favourite podcast platform and listen to a new episode every week!

📝 Don’t forget to share your thoughts on the episode in the comments below.

🔔 Join us in our mission at The Leadership Project and learn more about our organisation here: https://linktr.ee/mickspiers

📕 You can purchase a copy of the Mick Spiers bestselling book "You're a Leader, Now What?" as an eBook or paperback at Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09ZBKK8XV

If you would like a signed copy, please reach out to sei@mickspiers.com and we can arrange it for you too.

If you're thinking about starting a podcast or upgrading your hosting, Buzzsprout is a great option! This link will give both of us a $20 credit when you upgrade:

👉 https://www.buzzsprout.com/?referrer_id=1701891

Create forms easily with Jotform! Sign up with my link: https://www.jotform.com/?referral=AkWimLxOBz

Get extra Dropbox space—sign up with my link: Dropbox Referral Link

Wise Referral link: https://wise.com/invite/dic/michaels11434

...