Episode Description Growth is often portrayed as the goal. More revenue. More customers. More opportunity. But behind the scenes, growth can create something much heavier: more decisions, more pressure, more complexity, and more responsibility resting on the shoulders of leaders and founders. In this episode of Deals with Heels, Debra Bowers sits down with fractional COO and revenue operations strategist Lauren Zaslansky Conner to explore what really happens during the messy middle of growth. Together they discuss founder bottlenecks, decision fatigue, operational complexity, change management, team empowerment, customer experience, burnout, and why many organizations struggle not because of a lack of opportunity, but because their systems, processes, and leadership capacity haven't evolved alongside their growth. Lauren shares practical insights from years of helping growing organizations create structure, improve communication, and navigate change without sacrificing their people in the process. If you've ever felt overwhelmed by growth, stuck in constant decision-making, or frustrated by organizational friction, this conversation offers a thoughtful look at what sustainable growth actually requires. Key Topics The hidden weight of growth and leadershipThe messy middle of business growthWhy founders become organizational bottlenecksDecision fatigue and leadership overwhelmGrowth versus operational readinessThe connection between sales, operations, and customer experienceWhy organizations struggle with change managementEmpowering employees without creating confusionThe role of systems, documentation, and process clarityWhy retention is often more valuable than acquisitionCommunication breakdowns during growthThe dangers of burnout by exampleLeadership modeling and workplace cultureUnlimited PTO, vacation culture, and employee well-beingWhy businesses aren't families—and why that distinction mattersBuilding sustainable growth through clarity and intentional leadershipResources Connect with Our Guest, Lauren Zaslansky Conner ZAZ Business SolutionsHelping growing organizations navigate the messy middle of growth through operational clarity, strategic planning, revenue operations, and sustainable systems. Website:https://zazbusinesssolutions.com LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/laurenzaslanskyconner Interested in exploring what's creating friction in your growth or operations? Lauren welcomes conversations with founders and leaders navigating periods of change, scale, and organizational complexity. Connect with Debra Bowers & Stay Connected with Deals with HeelsLinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/debra-bowers/ Free Resource – 5 Signs Your Growth Is Breaking:https://5signs.thegrowthvanguard.com/ The Human Sales Playbook:https://thegrowthvanguard.com/free-ebook The Growth Vanguard:https://thegrowthvanguard.com/ Hexagon Media:https://hexagonmedia.net/ If this conversation resonated with you, share it with a leader, founder, or colleague who needs to hear it. Deals with Heels is where we explore the human side of leadership, growth, sales, decision-making, and the moments that shape who we become as leaders. Follow the show so you never miss an episode, and if you're enjoying these conversations, please leave a review. Your reviews help more listeners discover the show and support our ability to bring thoughtful, meaningful conversations to a wider audience. 🎙 Follow Deals with Heels on your favorite podcast platform ⭐ Leave a review and help us grow 📢 Share this episode with someone who could benefit from the conversation Until next time, stand strong in your power—especially when it gets uncomfortable.
