608 - Incorruptible: How Great Companies Stay Great with Eric Ries

608 - Incorruptible: How Great Companies Stay Great with Eric Ries

Author: Henry Lopez June 1, 2026 Duration: 49:40

How small business owners can build mission-driven companies that earn trust, create long-term value, and avoid the traps that cause good businesses to lose their way.

Show Notes Page: https://www.thehowofbusiness.com/609-eric-ries-incorruptible/

What causes good companies to go bad?

According to Eric Ries, author of The Lean Startup and his new book Incorruptible, it often begins when organizations lose sight of their true mission and start making decisions based solely on short-term financial results.

In this episode, Henry Lopez speaks with Eric Ries about how entrepreneurs can build businesses that stay true to their purpose as they grow. Eric shares why mission is much more than a statement on a wall, how trust becomes a powerful competitive advantage, and why governance structures matter even for small businesses.

They discuss real-world examples from companies like Cloudflare, Patagonia, Costco, and Taylor Guitars, exploring how organizations can make principled decisions that strengthen trust and create long-term value. Eric also explains why profit is often misunderstood and how business owners can think differently about profitability, purpose, and organizational longevity.

The conversation concludes with Eric's thoughts on how AI is accelerating entrepreneurship and why founders who move quickly, learn rapidly, and remain grounded in their mission will be best positioned for the future.

Whether you're launching a startup, leading a growing company, or planning for succession, this episode offers valuable insights on building a business that endures.

Eric Ries is an entrepreneur, author, and creator of the Lean Startup methodology. His work on innovation, entrepreneurship, governance, and long-term company building has influenced founders and business leaders around the world. He is the bestselling author of The Lean Startup, The Startup Way, and Incorruptible.

This episode is hosted by Henry Lopez. The How of Business podcast focuses on helping you start, run, grow and exit your small business. The How of Business is a top-rated podcast for small business owners and entrepreneurs. Find the best podcast, small business coaching, resources and trusted service partners for small business owners and entrepreneurs at our website https://TheHowOfBusiness.com


Henry Lopez hosts The How of Business-How to start, run, grow and exit a small business. It’s a practical resource for anyone who wants to move beyond just the idea of entrepreneurship and into the actual work of building something. Each week, the focus is on the tangible steps and decisions involved in a business’s entire lifecycle, from that initial launch through to managing daily operations, scaling up, and even planning a future exit. You’ll hear straightforward conversations that dig into specific topics, breaking down complex challenges into manageable advice. Often, Henry sits down with a small business owner who shares their real-world experiences-the successes and the setbacks-offering a genuine look at what it takes. This podcast is built on the understanding that running a business is a series of learned skills, and it aims to provide those lessons without fluff. Whether you're sketching your first plan on a napkin or steering an established company toward growth, the discussions here are meant to be directly applicable to your own journey. Tune in for a regular dose of clarity and concrete strategies from someone who understands the day-to-day realities you face.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 50

The How of Business - How to start, run, grow and exit a small business.
Podcast Episodes
602 – Why Your Business is Stuck [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 20:01
How profitability and scalability constraints in your business model keep you stuck and how to diagnose and remove them to finally grow. Show Notes Page: https://www.thehowofbusiness.com/602-why-your-business-is-stuck/ I…
601 – 2026 Franchise Trends with Giuseppe Grammatico [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

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600 – Create Your Own Category with Kevin Maney [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 41:50
How small business owners can escape price-driven competition by redefining their market and creating a new category instead of competing in crowded spaces. Show Notes Page: https://www.thehowofbusiness.com/600-kevin-man…
599 – When Should You Outsource Your Bookkeeping? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 34:18
When to outsource your bookkeeping, how outsourcing compares to hiring an in-house bookkeeper, and best practices for working effectively with a bookkeeping service. Show Notes Page: https://www.thehowofbusiness.com/599-…
598 – Do Your Leaders Know the Score? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 20:50
If your leaders don't know how they're measured, you can't expect consistent performance or real ownership. Show Notes Page: https://www.thehowofbusiness.com/598-do-your-leaders-know-the-score/ Frustrated with inconsiste…
597 – Why Your Business Will Sell [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 19:07
Five practical reasons your small business will sell and how to intentionally build long-term exit value. Show Notes Page: https://www.thehowofbusiness.com/597-why-your-business-will-sell/ Most business owners say they w…
596 – Marketing in the AI Era with Shannon Bailey [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 37:10
How AI is reshaping small business marketing and why clear positioning and strong messaging matter more than ever. Show Notes Page: https://www.thehowofbusiness.com/596-shannon-bailey-marketing-and-ai/ Branding and messa…
595 – Plan to Succeed, but Prepare to Fail [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 21:30
Planning improves your odds of success, but accepting risk, making decisions with incomplete information, and learning quickly from failure are what ultimately move a business forward. Show Notes Page: https://www.thehow…
R423 – Overcoming Decision Paralysis [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 41:46
How to overcome Decision Paralysis - assessing risk, limiting over analysis, and taking action are essential to moving a business forward. Show Notes Page: https://www.thehowofbusiness.com/r423-overcoming-decision-paraly…
594 – At-Will Employment with Claudia St. John [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 40:34
What At-Will Employment really means for small business owners. Show Notes Page: https://www.thehowofbusiness.com/594-claudia-stjohn-at-will-employment/ At-will employment gives small business owners flexibility, but mis…