Most of us get stuck in the daily grind—pushing, hustling, trying to make things work—but rarely take a moment to step back and ask ourselves why we’re doing things the way we are. That’s where Bill Lennan, founder of 40 Percent Better, opened my eyes. When I first heard his story, I was blown away by how he took a team everyone had written off and turned them into the most productive unit in the company. No fancy new tools. No over-the-top strategies. He simply adjusted how they thought.
Bill’s approach wasn’t about working harder; it was about working smarter by rethinking how you approach leadership. For him, mental models—those frameworks in our heads that shape how we see the world—are the key to unlocking potential.
And honestly, after our conversation, I started seeing things differently too. Let’s break it down into what I learned from him and how you can apply it to your own journey.
Leadership Isn’t About More Skills—It’s About Shifting Your Mental Models
A lot of us think that being a better leader means adding more skills to our toolkit. But Bill showed me it’s more about reshaping how you think—and, just as importantly, how your team thinks. Early in his career, Bill was handed what everyone in his company called “the worst team.” They’d been together for ten years, burned out, and weren’t producing results. Six months later? They were the most productive team in the company, and their coding throughput had jumped by 40%. What changed?
“I just took really good care of my teams,” Bill told me, laughing a little at how simple it sounded. But there was more to it than that. He didn’t force them to do more; instead, he helped them see their work differently, building a sense of ownership and shifting their perspective on what they could accomplish.
That’s where mental models come in. Bill didn’t realize it at the time, but he was using frameworks normally taught in mental health therapy to increase productivity. His partner, an occupational therapist, pointed this out to him: “You’re using the same models we teach to help people with depression or anxiety, and you’ve applied them to performance.”
Key Takeaways from Our Discussion:
- Mental models are the key to unlocking potential—they shape how people approach problems and challenges.
- Small shifts in thinking can drastically improve performance, even when traditional methods have failed.
- Sometimes it’s not about changing what your team does; it’s about changing how they view their work.
Learning to Embrace Uncertainty and Adaptation in Entrepreneurship
It’s important to embrace the unknown. When we’re building something, whether it’s a business or a team, we always want to know where we’re headed. But sometimes, it’s not possible to see the finish line—and that’s okay.
“When I started my first business, I knew exactly how it would end, and honestly, that’s why I burned out,” Bill shared. He talked about how in his earlier ventures, everything was mapped out from day one, which left no room for growth or discovery. His current company, 40 Percent Better, is different. “I have no idea what the end is going to look like, and that’s what keeps it exciting.”
For entrepreneurs, this is huge. We’re often told to have a solid plan, but Bill made me realize that plans can sometimes box you in. Not knowing what’s next forces you to stay flexible, and that’s where real growth happens.
What I Learned from His Experience:
- You don’t need to know all the answers upfront. The best growth happens when you adapt along the way.
- Rigidity can lead to burnout—being open to change keeps your energy and creativity alive.
- Embracing uncertainty doesn’t mean you’re unprepared; it means you’re leaving room to evolve.
Reflections from the Interview
One of the biggest things I walked away with from my chat with Bill is the idea that nobody has it all figured out. Even after founding multiple companies, Bill’s still learning, still adapting, and still open to new ideas. That kind of humility is rare but incredibly valuable, especially in the entrepreneurial world where everyone feels the pressure to be an expert at everything.
Bill’s story reminded me that leadership isn’t about knowing it all. It’s about being willing to learn, grow, and change your approach when necessary.
Here’s What I’m Taking Away:
- Mindset over skills: Shifting how you think can make more of an impact than just learning more tactics.
- Adaptability is everything: No matter how good your plan is, be ready to pivot when the situation changes.
- Start small and manual: Don’t rush into automating everything. Do it manually first to understand the process deeply.
- Get comfortable with not knowing: You’re not going to have all the answers—accept that and keep moving forward.
- Ask for help: Even experienced entrepreneurs like Bill know when to seek out coaches and mentors to fill in their gaps.
Final Thoughts:
Talking with Bill made me think about how often we get in our own way by sticking to old ways of thinking. If you’re feeling stuck, frustrated, or like your team isn’t living up to its potential, maybe it’s not about pushing harder. Maybe it’s time to look at the mental models driving your decisions and see if they’re serving you or holding you back.
Remember, leadership isn’t about having everything figured out—it’s about being willing to learn, adapt, and grow. And sometimes, the best way to grow is to step back and rethink how you’re approaching the problem in the first place.
CONNECT WITH BILL LENNAN:
Website:https://www.40pb.com/