In this episode of the Lead IN Podcast, Austin welcomes back Brendan McBrien for a dynamic discussion on entrepreneurship, the challenges of ownership, and the vital importance of change management within businesses. Brendan shares his insights as a business owner and highlights the realities of navigating the HVAC industry.

Episode Highlights:

- Austin and Brendan kick off the episode with a light-hearted discussion about Brendan's personal life and his experiences with Google.

- The conversation shifts to the fears surrounding business platforms, with Brendan reflecting on his time managing Airbnb properties and the inherent risks if platforms decide to remove you.

- Brendan emphasizes the necessity of building a strong business brand that stands independently of any single platform, advocating for a diversified marketing approach.

- They discuss the importance of personal experience and connection in business, stressing that ownership involves a significant emotional investment in both the business and its employees.

- Brendan introduces a powerful concept: the difference between "startup energy" and "legacy energy," explaining how taking over an existing business requires a calm and strategic approach.

- The discussion touches on the value of trust within a team, noting that gaining this trust takes time and consistent effort from leadership.

- Brendan shares his number one rule for change management: never present half-baked ideas to your team and always follow through on commitments.

- They also touch upon the importance of understanding the "whys" behind changes in business processes to ensure team buy-in and cooperation.

This episode provides valuable insights for business owners navigating similar journeys, particularly within industries reliant on technology and personal branding.

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