Ep. 237 | Business or Prison? Michael Walsh Explains Why Founders Get Stuck Scaling
What’s the real reason your business growth feels like you’re carrying bricks uphill?
On today’s episode, Michael Walsh takes us behind the curtain of business growth, from “we’re doing fine” to “we’re doing great, but I’m drowning anyway.” He walks through the hidden growth blockers (structures, people, manager vs. individual contributor), his “Freedom by Design” framework, and how to shift your business from a grind to something that actually frees you.
🍸 What you'll hear in this episode:
Why the common growth trap isn’t revenue; it’s the structures you’ve outgrown and the people you can’t manage.
Why your top salesperson might be the worst person to promote into management.
The difference between “authority + wisdom” and “connection → wisdom” in leadership.
Michael’s four human‑behavior levers (survive/thrive/connect/adapt) that drive business culture and freedom.
The idea of “talking‑back‑money (TBM)”—why you should pass on the client who doesn’t fit your values.
How a strong core‑value system doesn’t change when you grow. It anchors you even when everything else is different.
💡 Notable Takeaway:
Freedom in your business, freedom from your business, and freedom because of your business.
👤 About our Guest:
Michael Walsh is the founder and CEO of the Walsh Business Growth Institute. He’s authored multiple books—Business by Design, Thinking Big Is Not Enough, and Freedom by Design. He works with professional services and engineering‑type firms to scale from the 1‑to‑5‑to‑10‑million range and beyond by aligning people, process, and profit.
🎧 Why Listen:
Don’t just grow bigger; grow better. Hit play, listen with a notebook, and give your business the structure and human backbone it’s been missing. You’ll thank yourself later.
🔗 Links + Stuff
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