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September 25, 2025 71 mins

Ever wondered why mergers and acquisitions turn good people against each other? 

In this deep dive, we explore the systematic destruction of workplace relationships after an M&A. 

From sponsors-turned-foes to information warfare, discover why even the most collaborative cultures become pathological survival games.

Key Topics:
• Why M&As create artificial scarcity and paranoia
• The sponsor-turned-foe phenomenon
• Information as currency and weapon
• Blame archaeology and scapegoating
• The performance of fake collaboration
• How PE controls destroy generative cultures

Whether you're facing an acquisition or leading through one, this episode reveals the uncomfortable truths about corporate transformation.

#MergersAcquisitions #Leadership #CorporateCulture

LINKS
YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@arguingagile
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/362QvYORmtZRKAeTAE57v3
Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/agile-podcast/id1568557596
Website: http://arguingagile.com

REFERENCES

  1. Arguing Agile 61: Experiences in Corporate Buyouts (Mergers & Acquisitions)
  2. Arguing Agile 96: Stages of Company Decline, or When Companies Hate Their Customers
  3. Arguing Agile 217: Extreme Ownership Military Leadership Lessons
  4. Arguing Agile 219 - How Private Equity Killed Instant Pot (And Why Your Product Could Be Next)
  5. Suzanne Collins - The Hunger Games (2008)
  6. Marty Cagan - Transformed: Moving to the Product Operating Model (2024)

INTRO MUSIC
Toronto Is My Beat
By Whitewolf (Source: https://ccmixter.org/files/whitewolf225/60181)
CC BY 4.0 DEED (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/deed.en)

Mark as Played

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