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The Leadership PodcastAuthor: Jan Rutherford and Jim Vaselopulos, experts on leadership development
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TLP507: Disrupt or Be Buried: The Mindset That Changes Everything
Episode 507
Wednesday, 15 April, 2026
Patrick Leddin is an army veteran, entrepreneur, and NYT and WSJ Bestselling Author. He is the co-author, with James Patterson, of "Disrupt Everything—and Win: Take Control of Your Future." Most leaders treat disruption as something to survive. Patrick argues that's exactly the wrong frame. The gap between leaders who thrive in uncertainty and those who get buried by it isn't talent or timing — it's mindset. And that can be learned. In this conversation, Patrick explains why disruption doesn't always mean blowing things up. Sometimes it means doubling down when everyone else pivots. He breaks down the five roles people play in change and shares a practical way to assess the odds before you commit. For any leader feeling overwhelmed by the pace of change, this episode offers a more honest and more useful way to think about what's actually in front of you. Find episode 507 on The Leadership Podcast, YouTube, or wherever you get your podcasts! Watch this Episode on YouTube | Patrick Leddin on Disrupt or Be Buried: The Mindset That Changes Everything https://bit.ly/TLP-507 Key Takeaways [02:08] Patrick reveals he failed out of junior college before the Army changed everything. [03:50] Patrick explains how a COVID-era Vanderbilt crisis leadership course — and a guest lecture from James Patterson — planted the seed for the book. [08:06] Patrick reframes disruption as opportunity, not threat — and why hitting pause before reacting is the move most leaders skip. [12:50] Patrick shares the KPMG story where saying "just get me to lunch" turned into a $12 million project. [15:29] Jan asks Patrick which of the book's five roles he was playing in that moment — Trailblazer, then Torchbearer as the team grew. [16:35] Jim asks Patrick how timing plays a role in disruption and whether being too early kills commercial success. [19:31] Patrick walks through the back-of-envelope math he used with Vanderbilt's Chancellor to turn a 15% shot at co-authoring with Patterson into a 50% one. [25:08] Patrick outlines how to tell the difference between fear that signals danger and discomfort that signals growth. [28:51] Patrick confirms that everyone is wired for disruption — and offers the single smallest first step to prove it. [34:14] Patrick challenges every listener to identify one relationship that's gone sideways and disrupt it — for good. [36:08] And remember…"The reason why it is so difficult for existing firms to capitalize on disruptive innovations is that their processes and their business model that make them good at the existing business actually make them bad at competing for disruption." - Clayton M. Christensen Quotable Quotes "A disruption is anything that causes you to pause and consider — knocks you out of your normal routine." "Sometimes you disrupt something by choosing to double down on what you're already committed to — even when everyone else says go the other way." "We say disrupt everything. We don't say change everything." "Anybody who tells you they know where AI is going to be next year is either lying or just foolish." "The status quo is deceptive. Things aren't going to stay that way. But that's okay — because you're wired to handle it." "Sometimes you gotta bet on yourself. Sometimes you gotta step back and do some math." "You won't make any shots you don't take." "Don't wait until after the meeting to tell your friend the vibe is wrong. Say it in the room." "We live in a sea of relationships — and relationships shouldn't just be transactional." These are the books mentioned in this episode Resources Mentioned The Leadership Podcast | theleadershippodcast.com Sponsored by | www.darley.com Rafti Advisors. LLC | www.raftiadvisors.com Self-Reliant Leadership. LLC | selfreliantleadership.com Patrick Leddin Website | patrickleddin.com Patrick Leddin Podcast | patrickleddin.com/podcast Patrick Leddin LinkedIn | www.linkedin.com/in/patrickleddin Patrick Leddin Instagram | @patrickleddin
