In this week’s episode of the Process Debt Podcast, we dive into a surprisingly profound Instagram clip of Steve Jobs, where he reflects on the transition from building Apple I computers in his garage to managing the scaled chaos of Apple II. The key lesson? When he was small, process enabled him. When Apple grew, process began to control him.

We explore the tension between bureaucratic processes that feel like relics of fear and risk avoidance—and enabling processes that empower people, clarify ownership, and get stuff done. From RACI matrices that look great on a slide but confuse everyone in practice, to home remodel projects that showcase clear accountability and outcome-based thinking, this episode is packed with stories and insights that will resonate with any leader navigating growth.

Other highlights:

• Why enabling processes don’t go viral (hint: there are no memes for smooth operations).
• How process debt shows up when boundaries disappear.
• Why "good fences make good coworkers."
• The coffee-making analogy you didn’t know you needed.
• And what knowledge workers can learn from contractors and construction sites.

Whether you're scaling a startup or trying to untangle legacy spaghetti in a big org, this episode reminds us: the best processes don’t call attention to themselves—they just quietly make life easier.

🎧 Tune in and, if you do find a meme about enabling processes… send it our way.