Vision over Ambiguity: The Unlocked 2026 Mid-Year Check-In (Episode 78)

Vision over Ambiguity: The Unlocked 2026 Mid-Year Check-In (Episode 78)

Author: Chad Lingafelt, Tony Hokanson, Lars Johnston May 14, 2026 Duration: 1:10:12

We are officially a quarter into 2026, and it’s time for the Unlocked trio to stop talking and start walking. In Episode 78, Lars Johnston (Calgary Lock & Safe), Tony Hawkenson (Assured Security), and Chad Lingafelt (Loc-Doc Security) revisit the ambitious goals they set in January to see what’s actually sticking.

The conversation gets real as Chad describes the "brain transplant" of rolling out a proprietary software across 50+ employees and the leadership diplomacy required when systems break. Tony reveals his "North Star" goal of scaling to 100 technicians and how that single metric has completely changed his decision-making process for Q2. Meanwhile, Lars explores the tension between building rigid routines and maintaining the innovative creativity that drives growth. From targeted email marketing to the "screen test" for deleting inefficient processes, this episode is a blueprint for mid-year course correction.


Tune into Unlocked Podcast for a grounded, cross-border conversation about what it really takes to build a company meant to last. You’ll hear from three practicing business owners, each running their own operations from distinct locations-North Carolina, Minnesota, and Alberta, Canada. They don’t deal in abstract theory; instead, they draw directly from their own evolving playbooks, setbacks, and hard-won victories. The dialogue in this podcast revolves around practical strategies and philosophical shifts necessary for creating enterprises that can thrive beyond a single owner’s tenure. Episodes delve into the nuanced decisions around leadership transition, cultivating a resilient company culture, and implementing systems that ensure stability through market changes. It’s a candid exchange between peers who are in the trenches themselves, offering listeners a rare, ongoing case study from multiple industries and perspectives. If you’re steering a business and thinking about its legacy, this series provides a thoughtful, actionable companion for the long journey ahead.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 50

Unlocked Podcast
Podcast Episodes
Lessons from Cost-Obsessed Founders (Episode 91) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:01:36
Are you so hyper-focused on driving top-line revenue that you are completely blind to the silent margin leaks bleeding your business dry? In Episode 92, Chad (Loc-Doc Security), Tony (Assured Security), and Lars (Calgary…
Debunking Toxic Entrepreneurial Quotes (Episode 86) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:08:43
Is corporate America’s favorite advice actually helping you scale, or is it just romanticized business lore? In Episode 86, Chad (Loc-Doc Security), Tony (Assured Security), and Lars (Calgary Lock & Safe) host a candid "…
Maintaining Motivation as a Leader (Episode 85) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:03:38
Interested in the Unlocked Invitational? Fill out the form at https://unlockedpodcast.comEvery business leader inevitably hits a wall where the daily grind transitions from an exciting problem-solving puzzle into an exha…