When Bayer bought Monsanto they also inherited over 13,000 lawsuits alleging that Roundup weed killer caused cancer. One couple just got a 2 billion dollar jury award. Any deal can come with a side order of headaches whether a big acquisition, a key hire, or the latest software purchase that will “finally get us productive.”

Some risks are as clear as a tree-sized weed in a driveway, and it is up to leaders to avoid or cut them down.