Read the original at Lenny’s Newsletter ↗lennysnewsletter.com · subscriber post
By Lenny Rachitsky · lennysnewsletter.com · @lennysan on X · YouTube · LinkedIn
Lenny answers a reader's question about keeping support for a long-term 'big bet' project at a large company. His core argument is that steady, visible wins (the 80/20 split of incremental work and high-risk work) earn the trust and cover needed to keep big bets funded. He closes with brief tactical tips gathered from other operators.
Subscriber post — summary only01Key takeaways
- Treat a big bet as needing cover: consistent small wins protect long-term work from being pulled for resources.
- Consider an 80/20 split between low-risk incremental wins and high-risk long-term bets on the roadmap.
- Share this approach openly with your manager, since steady business impact also reassures leadership.
- Steady results build trust in execution and earn the right to take bigger bets later.
- Keep the 'why' emphasized, keep early work small, and secure dedicated headcount and a clear mandate.
02Frameworks mentioned
Summary and takeaways written by PM Atlas; quotes are short excerpts. © the original author.