The Art of Asking ft Kit Lisle | Hard Corps Marketing Show | Ep 438

How can experimentation and relentless curiosity unlock faster growth in private-equity-backed businesses? In this episode of The Hard Corps Marketing Show, I sat down with Kit Lisle, Founder of Acclaro Growth Partners and The Operators.pe. A former military intelligence officer turned veteran strategy consultant, Kit brings a unique lens to leadership and business transformation. He now helps companies shift from founder-led decision making to value-driven, private-equity-ready growth. Kit breaks down why leaders should start with experimentation instead of narrowing their focus too soon, how honest customer conversations reveal real needs, and why continuous improvement and humble collaboration are non-negotiable for long-term success. Drawing from his military background, Kit compares the intensity of private equity to a SEAL team mission, where adaptability, rapid learning, and mission clarity are essential. In this episode, we cover:Why a period of experimentation outperforms premature focusHow to ask open-ended questions that deliver true customer insightThe cultural shift founder-led businesses must make when PE steps inLeveraging strengths and running after-action reviews for constant improvementEncouraging a culture of curiosity that sparks innovation If you’re ready to foster intellectual curiosity, unlock hidden opportunities, and drive value-first growth, this episode is full of actionable insights you won’t want to miss! 🔔 Don’t forget to subscribe and hit the notification bell so you never miss an episode of The Hard Corps Marketing Show! Follow us on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-hard-corps-marketing-show/   Connect with Kit:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kit-lisle/  The Operator’s website: https://theoperators.pe/  Acclaro Growth Partners' website: https://acclaropartners.com/  Ways to Tune In:Apple Podcasts:  https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-hard-corps-marketing-show/id1338838763Amazon Music/Audible: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/0f4497c6-b402-4cad-9018-1e41b7e8f2bb/the-hard-corps-marketing-showSpotify:  https://open.spotify.com/show/1vVLpNI1LssMTiL6KdsamnStitcher: https://www.stitcher.com/podcast/the-hard-corps-marketing-showGoogle Podcasts: https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9mZWVkcy50cmFuc2lzdG9yLmZtL3RoZS1oYXJkLWNvcnBzLW1hcmtldGluZy1zaG93YouTube: https://youtu.be/jr18uWStLfQ  Hard Corps Marketing is produced and sponsored by Ringmaster, on a mission to create connections through branded podcasts. Learn more at https://ringmaster.com/