In Episode 75, the Unlocked trio—Lars Johnston from Calgary Lock & Safe, Tony Hawkenson from Assured Security, and Chad Lingafelt from Loc-Doc Security—break down the literal architecture of their businesses. Moving past high-level philosophy, they dive into the tactical "how-to" of departmental structure, reporting lines, and the common pitfalls of scaling past 25 employees.

Lars challenges the group to discuss why "gross revenue is vanity, but structure is what keeps it". They explore the evolution from a "comb" structure where everyone reports to the owner, to creating specialized micro-teams with mid-level managers. Whether you are deciding if your electronics techs should cut their own strikes or figuring out why you have high turnover in a "unicorn" dispatch role, this episode provides a blueprint for building a business that regresses to a solid structure rather than falling into chaos.

In Episode 74, the Unlocked trio—Chad (Loc-Doc Security), Tony (Assured Security), and Lars (Calgary Lock & Safe)—engage in a high-stakes debate over the future of security sales. Fresh off a trip to Las Vegas for ISC West, Chad proposes a radical shift: abandoning the generalist model in favor of "micro-business centers" where salespeople specialize in single disciplines like video, access control, or doors and frames.

Tony pushes back hard, arguing that specialization can alienate customers who want a single point of contact and may lead to missed cross-selling opportunities. The guys explore the psychology of "Hunters vs. Gatherers," how to reduce salesperson training time from one year to one month, and why the "one-stop-shop" model might be harder to scale than you think. Whether you're a "guy in a van" or managing a multi-million dollar sales team, this episode will challenge how you view your go-to-market strategy.

In Episode 73, Tony (Assured Security), Lars (Calgary Lock & Safe), and Chad (Loc-Doc Security) tackle the challenge of growing organically by capturing large-scale projects. The trio explores tactical ways to move beyond basic break-fix service calls and into the world of $50,000+ contracts.

Chad reveals the "Association Strategy," explaining why trade associations are the key to finding ideal customers where they actually hang out. Lars shares his "Skywalker" approach to dominating a downtown commercial core by building deep relationships with property managers. The episode culminates in a heated debate over the future of sales: Is it better to have a team of specialists laser-focused on one product line, or generalists who can sell the entire "one-stop-shop" model?.

In Episode 72, the Unlocked trio—Tony (Assured Security), Lars (Calgary Lock & Safe), and Chad (Loc-Doc Security)—dive into the psychology of decision-making. Inspired by the work of Nobel Prize winner Daniel Kahneman and sage advice from "Uncle Glenn," they explore System 1 (Fast/Habitual) and System 2 (Slow/Analytical) thinking.

The guys discuss how to use "Level 2" brainpower to architect "Level 1" processes that run on autopilot, freeing up mental energy for high-stakes strategy. From Chad’s self-driving car reducing commute fatigue to Tony’s specialized pinning stations that eliminate technical guesswork, this episode is a masterclass in building a business that "rhymes with sufficiency". Whether you're fighting decision fatigue or trying to scale technician training beyond "osmosis," learn how to stop reacting and start orchestrating your business operations.

In Episode 71, Chad (Loc-Doc Security), Tony (Assured Security), and Lars (Calgary Lock & Safe) dive into the psychological and operational warfare of "The Messy Middle." Inspired by Scott Belsky’s framework, the trio explores the volatile space between the dopamine-heavy start of a project and the satisfaction of the finish line.

The conversation gets tactical as they discuss how to distinguish a "false positive"—like a lucky $1.2 million contract—from a truly scalable system. They also tackle the "Burden of Excellence," discussing how to protect your A-players from being punished with more work while C-players coast. From moving toward flat-rate "per door" pricing to reconcile the ego of no longer being the "fixer" in your own company, this episode is a guide for any leader currently in the thick of scaling.

Buckle up for Episode 70, where the trio takes on an Instagram-inspired "Blind Rank" challenge that nearly breaks the podcast. Tony (Assured Security) forces Lars (Calgary Lock & Safe) and Chad (Loc-Doc Security) to rank a list of 12 business and philosophy books without knowing which title is coming next.

The result is a chaotic, high-stakes debate over the industry's most influential texts. From the "broccoli" of 4 Disciplines of Execution to the transformational power of Turn the Ship Around, the guys break down why certain books are foundational for new owners while others are designed for high-level strategic pivots. Whether you’re looking for a people management manual like Radical Candor or a "Bible of Capitalism" like Atlas Shrugged, this episode serves as your ultimate 2026 reading list. Plus, an intro from the "prehistoric" day-one listener, Ken Kupperman.

Full Book List:

https://www.unlockedpodcast.com/post/12-must-read-books-for-scaling-leaders-episode-70

As we move through the first quarter of 2026, the Unlocked trio—Chad from Loc-Doc Security, Tony from Assured Security, and Lars from Calgary Lock & Safe—flip the script on traditional goal setting. Instead of focusing on what to add to their lives, they dive deep into what they need to quit.

The conversation gets raw as Lars opens up about the danger of "ruminating" on past mistakes and his journey toward finding a partner and prioritizing health. Tony discusses the "nice vs. kind" paradox, committing to stop seeking consensus at the expense of doing what's right for the business. Chad reveals his radical approach to reclaiming focus by locking his phone down for 19 hours a day. From battling the "amygdala's" loud voice to ending the cycle of vague priorities, this episode is a blueprint for simplifying your life to amplify your results.

In Episode 68, the Unlocked trio—Chad from Loc-Doc Security, Tony from Assured Security, and Lars from Calgary Lock & Safe—tackle the most important asset any company owns: its culture. They dive deep into why culture isn't just a "vibe" but a set of sacred standards that must be protected with aggressive consistency.

Chad shares the "Dabo Swinney" inspired strategy of an Annual Reset, where every employee—from the 20-year veteran to the rookie—re-onboards each January to ensure no one is operating on a diluted version of the company mission. Tony discusses the process of simplifying core values to make them actually actionable, while Lars explains the power of the "Emotional Piggy Bank" and why leaders must be visible in the weeds to maintain credibility. If you’ve ever felt your company culture slipping as you grow past 15 employees, this episode provides the blueprint for "re-boarding" your team and holding the line on excellence.

In Episode 67, the trio tackles one of the most critical challenges for any entrepreneur: moving from a reactive "firefighting" mindset to proactive leadership. Tony (Assured Security) kicks things off by operating from a backup computer with no passwords and slow internet—a real-time lesson in why systems matter when things go sideways.

Lars (Calgary Lock & Safe) pulls back the curtain on his recent transformation, explaining why he has replaced "motivation" (which is emotional and unreliable) with "patterns and consistency." He shares his rigid 5:00 a.m. routine and his non-negotiable "Tuesday Think Time." Chad (Loc-Doc Security) joins the deep dive by discussing the "Five Thieves of Time" and how he uses device downtime and public calendar visibility to protect his "impact zone." If you feel like your calendar owns you rather than the other way around, this episode provides the tactical blueprint to take it back.

In Episode 66, Lars Johnston from Calgary Lock & Safe challenges the trio to get vulnerable with a high-stakes leadership exercise: identifying their "Uniques." Moving past typical corporate bios, Chad (Loc-Doc Security), Tony (Assured Security), and Lars reveal the honest, sometimes uncomfortable feedback they received from their teams and families.

The conversation dives into the "Shadow Side" of leadership—how a strength like being a "calm problem solver" can inadvertently make a team feel ignored, or how deep data gathering can lead to "decision paralysis." From Tony's relentless curiosity to Chad's ability to "set the room temperature," this episode is a masterclass in self-awareness for any entrepreneur looking to lead with more intentionality in 2026.