In this episode of The Tech Leader's Playbook, Avetis Antaplyan lays out a wartime CEO playbook for thriving in downturns, drawing on the same strategies his team used to scale HIRECLOUT and help clients grow through multiple recessions. He argues that recessions do not kill companies, timid leadership does, and makes the case for buying market share when others freeze. Avetis explains why momentum dies faster than cash burns, how to reinforce your core and double down on your edge, and where “talent arbitrage” appears when markets are scared. He also breaks down weaponized efficiency, using AI and automation to cut friction instead of people, and how leaders can keep teams aligned by leading with certainty, transparency, and small weekly wins. Along the way, Avetis shares candid stories from COVID, investing in AI startups and real estate, and the tough calls required of a wartime CEO. The result is a concise, practical blueprint for founders and operators who want to play to win rather than “not lose.”
Takeaways
Recessions concentrate opportunity in the hands of bold leaders
Momentum dies faster than cash burns, so “wait and see” erodes advantage
Cut distractions, not drivers; double down on your core edge
Downturns are prime time for talent arbitrage and loyalty building
You cannot cut your way to greatness; savings alone will not scale a company
Use AI and automation to remove friction so people can drive revenue
Turn downtime into build time by rebuilding systems to be 10x-ready
Keep outbound and thought leadership consistent while others go quiet
Lead with certainty; your team mirrors your energy and confidence
Create small weekly wins to sustain morale and momentum
Pair clarity with optimism; either one alone leads to noise or paralysis
The leaders who act decisively now will own the rebound later
Chapters
00:00 Why timid leaders lose in recessions
02:22 The big lie of “conserve and wait”
04:30 You cannot cut your way to greatness
06:45 Recessions as the cheapest time to buy market share
08:23 Talent arbitrage and loyalty during downturns
10:32 Reinforce your core and double down on your edge
12:50 Weaponized efficiency: cut friction, not talent
15:16 Turn downtime into build time and rebuild systems
17:22 Keep marketing; brand compounding when others go silent
19:25 Lead with certainty and reassure through transparency
21:40 Clarity plus optimism and the cost of overanalysis
23:40 No fluff, make it happen: own the rebound
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