Most entrepreneurs don’t have a “people problem”, they have a systems problem. In this episode, Marine veteran, 30‑year entrepreneur, and author of Escape the Owner Prison Richard Walsh breaks down why your business feels like a grind, why your phone is killing your focus, and how to build command-level systems so your team wins every single day.​Richard explains his “tip of the spear” mindset: as the owner, you’re supposed to be the sharp edge driving the business forward, not the dull blade buried in day-to-day chaos. He talks about why most delegation fails (you dump tasks without building guardrails), how over‑KPI’ing turns managers into toxic micromanagers, and why real leadership is about command, identity, and clear systems where people know exactly what winning looks like daily, weekly, monthly, and yearly.​You’ll also hear how Richard is now attacking the manufacturing leadership crisis by installing frontline “command systems” that stop profit bleed, reduce firefighting, and create a pipeline of prepared leaders instead of promoting your best worker into a role that ruins both their life and your operations. Along the way, he shares blunt advice on killing phone distractions, ditching social media dependency, and building real relationships that actually grow your business instead of chasing empty likes.​Key topics in this episode:- The “tip of the spear” mindset and why dull owners get stuck in owner prison- Why your phone is the enemy of deep work, focus, and real leadership- Delegation vs abdication: how to build systems where people actually know how to win- KPI sanity: what to track, what to ignore, and how micromanagers destroy trust- Command as an identity: creating leaders, not just filling supervisor seats- Fixing the frontline: why manufacturing (and other industries) bleed profit at the supervisor level- How to build a business that runs on systems and people, not just on youGuest:Richard Walsh – CEO, Sharpen the Spear Coaching; author of Escape the Owner Prison: The Contractor’s New Way to Scale, Regain Control and Fast-Track Growth While Loving Life; Marine, entrepreneur, and frontline leadership architect.​Connect with Richard:Command leadership & coaching: grittolead.com / Sharpen the Spear Coaching​Book: Escape the Owner Prison (contractors & owners who feel stuck in the business)​If you’re tired of feeling like a prisoner in your own company and ready to lead like a commander instead of a micromanager, this episode will hit uncomfortably close - and show you what to do next.The views and opinions expressed by the guest in this episode are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of the host or the podcast. The host is not responsible for any statements made by the guest.