Ep#70 - Eric Ries. He wrote the rules. Now he's rewriting them.

from Startups Decoded Hosted by andy walsh

Eric Ries, author of The Lean Startup, joins Startups Decoded to discuss his new book Incorruptible and why many successful companies slowly drift away from their founding ideals. Andy Walsh sat down with Eric to explore the forces that reshape organizations as they scale — from governance and incentives to leadership dynamics and investor pressure. Drawing on examples from companies like Costco and FedMart, Eric explains how culture, trust, and long-term thinking are often eroded by systems designed for short-term outcomes. This episode examines why success can quietly corrupt company purpose — and what founders must do to build organizations that remain principled as they grow. Presented by Deel: If you're making your first or fiftieth hire — and doing it across borders — Deel is worth knowing. They're supporting Startups Decoded this season for good reason. LEARN MORE. Listen: Apple || Spotify || YouTube What We Cover • The legacy and influence of The Lean Startup • Why companies drift away from their founding purpose • The hidden forces that shape corporate culture • The founder-to-CEO transition and shifting power dynamics • Governance, incentives, and long-term decision making • Lessons from Costco and the collapse of FedMart • How founders can design companies that stay mission-driven Get Incorruptible: Order here Eric Ries Eric Ries is the author of The Lean Startup, one of the most influential books in modern entrepreneurship. His work has shaped how startups and large companies approach innovation, product development, and experimentation. Andy Walsh 2× exited founder and host of Startups Decoded (500,000 downloads + Top 2% globally). Access All Areas. Listen: Apple || Spotify || YouTube Subscribe: Substack Connect: LinkedIn Web: startupsdecoded.com Socials: TikTok || Instagram || X Music Credit “Neptuno” – Phondupe (Album: Onykia) The Studio Filmed on location at 28th&Park. A content & production studio for New York’s visionary Builders, Investors, Artists, Musicians, & Creators to amplify their voice & share bold stories.

Episode details come from the podcast's RSS feed.

Embed this episode

Attribution link and audio player

Ready to play

Ep#70 - Eric Ries. He wrote the rules. Now he's rewriting them.

0:00 59:47

No transcript yet.

Requests help us decide what to transcribe next.

Share this episode

Similar podcasts

ChatGTM: Revolutionizing Restaurant Tech & Go-To-Market Strategies Michael Beck Welcome to ChatGTM by Ink Tank GTM, where tech innovation, strategic clarity, and caffeine-fueled chaos collide.Hosted by the dynamic duo of Michael Beck and Chad Horn, this isn’t just a podcast. It’s a pressure cooker for big ideas and practical genius. Michael is a human brainstorm in sneakers, equal parts espresso and electric current. Chad is the philosophical anchor, the strategist who makes sure the rocket ship remembers gravity.They don’t just talk shop. They crack open the engine room of business, startups, restaurants, retail, all of it and tinker until it hums. From AI-powered ordering systems to the operational alchemy that turns good ideas into great companies, this is where high-octane vision meets real-world execution.Guests? Imagine if Elon Musk and Anthony Bourdain had a dinner party. Bold thinkers, mad geniuses, and pragmatic disruptors drop in to turn conventional wisdom inside out with a wink and a war story.If you're a founder chasing scale, a builder breaking For You Leaders Kirk Dando Have you ever thought, "Running a business shouldn't be this hard." Then you need to listen to the For You Leaders podcast. Come listen to Kirk Dando and glean from his experience leading 11,000+ executives and business leaders around the world. From startups to hyper-growth companies, Kirk has seen it all. We'll bring you interviews with some of today's best CEOs. Short on theory and long on practical examples, you will leave every episode equipped to be a better leader. The Serial Startups Podcast: Entrepreneurship | Business | Lifestyle Tom and Ariana Sylvester: Serial Entrepreneurs, Business Coaches and Parents Tom and Ariana Sylvester are serial entrepreneurs who are passionate about helping others achieve success in business and in life. They have started and operate multiple business, from real estate investing to running a wine and liquor store to blogging, they have done a little bit of everything. But it's not all about business here. Tom and Ariana are also parents, so they share strategies and lessons for how to not only start and growing multiple streams of income, but also how to create a great life for your family. From goal planning, market research, getting past fear, failing, growing to profitability, outsourcing, automating and doing it again, this podcast will give you the information you need to start and grow your businesses, as well as a peek behind the curtains into the life of a real couple that is able to make six-figures a year from their various income streams. The Biotech Startups Podcast Excedr The Biotech Startups Podcast by Excedr features weekly conversations with founders, scientists, and investors driving biotech innovation. Host Jon Chee dives into the challenges of building biotech startups, from pre-seed to IPO. New episodes every Monday and Thursday.

Frequently asked questions

How long is this episode of Startups Decoded?

This episode is 59 minutes long.

When was this Startups Decoded episode published?

This episode was published on May 25, 2026.

Can I download this Startups Decoded episode?

Yes. Use the download control on the episode player to save the publisher-provided media file.