In this sharp, soul-baring episode of The E1B2 Collective Podcast, AJ cracks open a question that haunts boardrooms and investor decks alike: who actually deserves the seat at the head of Sales, Product, or Marketing in 2025?

This isn't your standard leadership debate. AJ dives deep into the pivotal, behind-the-scenes decisions that define whether a company scales, stalls, or sells its soul. From Series B startups clawing toward survival, to pre-IPO behemoths managing time zones and politics—he explores why leadership readiness isn't about tenure or legacy, but about agility, research-mindedness, and cultural resonance in this exact moment in time.

He challenges old hiring mindsets, demands a refresh in how HR and exec teams define "readiness," and outlines what to look for in a leader when the weeds are thick, the stakes are sky-high, and the pace of change is blistering.

If you're building a leadership bench for now—not nostalgia—this one’s for you.

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