Sam Jacobs, AJ Bruno, and Asad Zaman unpack what it means to lead through uncertainty in a time of rapid change. They reflect on Q2 wins, the emotional cost of ambition, and why founders are feeling more anxious than ever.

From letting go of the SaaS playbook to adapting in real time, they explore how AI is reshaping leadership, team culture, and what “good” revenue looks like. Plus: the decline of CS, the rise of forward-deployed engineers, and how to build when nothing feels stable.

Thanks for tuning in! New episodes of Topline drop every Sunday and Thursday.

Don’t miss GTM2025 — the only B2B tech conference exclusively for GTM executives. Elevate your 2026 strategy and join us from September 23 to 25 in Washington, D.C. Use code TOPLINE for 10% off your GA ticket.

Stay ahead with the latest industry developments and emerging go-to-market trends with Topline Newsletter by Asad Zaman. Subscribe today.

Tune in to The Revenue Leadership Podcast every Wednesday, where host Kyle Norton talks with real revenue operators and dives deep into what it takes to succeed as a modern revenue leader.

You’re invited! Join the free Topline Slack channel to connect with 600+ revenue leaders, share insights, and keep the conversation going beyond the podcast!

This episode is sponsored by UserEvidence. Want to know what actually moves the needle on trust? Download The Evidence Gap, a data-backed report on the customer proof that drives real results. Get it now at userevidence.com/evidence.

Key chapters:

(00:00) - Welcome and Pulse Check

(01:14) - Celebrating Q2 Successes

(02:57) - Navigating Business Transitions

(03:59) - Hitting Numbers and Investing for Growth

(04:47) - The Stress of Numbers and Daily Anxiety

(05:47) - Balancing Ambition with Gratitude

(07:00) - The Power of Pattern Interrupts and Support

(07:38) - Is Ambition Always Dissatisfaction?

(09:00) - Finding Fulfillment in the Journey

(13:12) - The Beauty of Risk and Uncertainty

(15:00) - The Astrologer and Fate vs. Free Will

(23:00) - Charting the Uncertain Second Half

(34:00) - Culture Change and Organizational Agility

(43:28) - The Rise of Forward Deployed Engineers & Services Revenue

(54:00) - The Future of Customer Success and Bearishness on Job Markets