The Leadwell Podcast gives mission-driven leaders principled and practical advice to do just that, lead well. In each episode, your host Jon Kidwell, interviews leaders with great stories, to share strategies that help leaders navigate complex, confusing, and often down-right challenging leadership, personal growth, business, and workplace culture situations. Jon is a nonprofit executive turned coach, speaker, author, and CEO of a leadership development company. In working with nonprofits an ...
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Are you ready to up your leadership game? Tune in to Leveraging Leadership, where business professionals and leaders find the tools, strategies, and insights they need to excel. Hosted by Emily Sander, a C-suite executive turned leadership coach, this podcast delivers practical and tactical takeaways every week. Whether you're tackling tough conversations, fine-tuning your KPIs, or mastering delegation, this show offers new perspectives and actionable advice to help you feel confident and th ...
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Redefine Your Servant Leadership with Jon Kidwell
40:07
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How do you lead and serve at the same time? Author Jon Kidwell discusses his definition of a true servant leader, focusing on three key attributes: character, relationships, and skills. Jon debunks nine myths about leadership, contrasting ideas such as mission over people-pleasing, embracing tension, and choosing 'and' over 'or'. Emily and Jon also…
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Ever wondered why seemingly simple phrases like "as soon as possible" can lead to such hilarious misunderstandings? On this episode of the Leadwell Podcast, we're breaking down the comical chaos and confusion that arise from everyday language, especially in leadership and business settings. From the murky waters of "I'm available while I'm off" to …
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In this episode of Leveraging Leadership, host Emily discusses the concept of creating 'good' problems—like being swamped with sales or having too many top job candidates—as signs of a healthy business - comparing it to the Seattle Seahawks' strategy of drafting the best talent regardless of position. Links Mentioned: Clarity Call with Emily Free R…
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Mastering Salary Negotiations: A Chief of Staff's Guide with Dorothy Mashburn
34:31
34:31
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Dorothy Mashburn, a leading expert in salary negotiations, shares straightforward strategies on compensation discussions for Chiefs of Staff. Learn how to effectively prepare for pay raise conversations, use data to back up your requests, and handle rejection to keep the discussion going. If you're looking to get a better handle on negotiating your…
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Showing You Understand: Leading with Empathy in Situations Beyond Your Control
6:57
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In this episode of Leveraging Leadership, Emily discusses how showing empathy and really looking at the world from their perspective, can go A LONG way. Like when a chief of staff helps a CTO who's stuck with a messy, old tech system. Links Mentioned: Clarity Call with Emily Free Resources: Strategic Planning Checklist Chief of Staff Skills Assessm…
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Thinking in Bets: Improving Decision-Making Skills for Business Leaders
20:31
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In this episode, Emily explains the key concepts from Annie Duke's book "Thinking in Bets", which emphasizes the importance of distinguishing between decisions and outcomes for Chiefs of Staff and other leaders. She shares examples like Pete Carroll's controversial Super Bowl play call and a golfer's swing to illustrate the roles of skill and luck …
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The Nonprofit Chief of Staff: Leading with Purpose with Bora Lee
38:53
38:53
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Bora Lee is the Chief of Staff at the Fifth Avenue Committee, a nonprofit focused on community development in Brooklyn and Queens, New York. Bora shares her personal connection to the organization, having grown up in the area and seen her parents move from poverty to the middle class through their grocery business. Bora and Emily discuss the differ…
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Be “Interruptible”: Making Time for Those Unexpected Conversations
10:49
10:49
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In this episode, Emily talks about how important it is for a Chief of Staff to manage interruptions while staying approachable. She shares personal stories, like how she handled unexpected conversations while deep in work and how these interruptions led to valuable insights about her team. Emily emphasizes the balance between focused work and being…
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From Theory to Practice: Gaining Operational Experience w/ Chief of Staff Revant Gupta
39:56
39:56
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In this episode, Revant Gupta, Chief of Staff at Margin, shares his journey of pursuing the Chief of Staff role to gain crucial operational experience. He talks about managing internal operations, designing user experiences, and automating customer onboarding. Revant also provides insights from his time at Home Depot, emphasizing the importance of …
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Recognizing Progress as Chief of Staff: Celebrating Milestones and Continuing Growth
8:11
8:11
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In this episode of "Leveraging Leadership," Emily talks to a Chief of Staff feeling stuck, highlighting the progress made, and encourages listeners to recognize their own progress, no matter how small. Small wins add up faster than you think. Free Resources: Strategic Planning Checklist Chief of Staff Skills Assessment Checklist A Day in the Life o…
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Have you ever felt overwhelmed by an endless list of tasks, unsure which to tackle first? In this episode of the Lead Well podcast, I share a personal experience with an executive team that was drowning in too many responsibilities. We'll talk about the vital practice of pruning less critical activities to focus on what truly matters, guided by ins…
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Chief of Staff in Consulting: Crafting Communication Channels with Nishi Moonka
31:09
31:09
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In this episode of "Leveraging Leadership," host Emily chats with Nishi, who juggles roles as Chief of Staff and Head of People and Culture. Nishi shares how she tackled company-wide challenges, like diversity initiatives and the shift to remote work due to COVID-19. She gives practical tips, such as using a daily debrief system for aligning with h…
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Gelling as a Team: Do Your Executives Have Each Other’s Back?
9:02
9:02
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In this episode of Leveraging Leadership, Emily discusses how Chiefs of Staff can tell if their executive team is unified by looking for signs of support and resource sharing among team members. Or like sharing your team or speaking up to give overworked colleagues a breather. Plus, she's all about giving props to folks who step up and cover for ot…
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What happens when feedback is given but ignored? Discover the consequences of inaction and the power of active listening in this thought-provoking episode of the Leadwell podcast. Drawing from real-life scenarios like NPS surveys and employee evaluations, we explore the frustration that arises when feedback isn't acted upon and how it can lead to d…
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Fleet Master Chief Raymond Kemp on Building Resilience As a Leader
34:25
34:25
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In this episode of "Leveraging Leadership," host Emily brings on Fleet Master Chief Raymond Kemp to share his journey from facing racial discrimination to becoming a Navy leader. Raymond talks about steering significant policy changes in the Navy, like integrating women into combat roles and repealing "don't ask, don't tell." He breaks down his "ab…
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Hannibal and Me: Exploring Success and Failure With History's Greatest Strategist
13:29
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In this episode, host Emily Sander, Chief of Staff turned executive leadership coach, discusses the book *Hannibal and Me* by Andreas Kluth. She explains how the book uses historical figures like Hannibal and Harry Truman to explore different paths to success and failure. Emily also shares her personal experiences with these concepts and suggests q…
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Do you find yourself constantly saying "sorry" even when it’s unnecessary? This episode of the Leadwell Podcast tackles the delicate balance between apologizing and assertiveness in the workplace. Join us as we discuss how the habitual overuse of apologies can chip away at your credibility and self-worth. Drawing on expert insights from psychothera…
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Chief of Staff's Role in Hally Hair's Success and Olympic Partnerships with Meredith Pong
31:25
31:25
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In this episode, Chief of Staff Meredith Pong discusses how Hally Hair collaborates with female athletes like Baylor University's women's basketball team and Olympic gymnast Leanne Wong to market their products. Meredith explains their "Streak for a Cause" initiative benefiting suicide prevention, and their partnerships with major retailers like Ul…
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Highest ROI vs. Highest Probability: Strategies for Chiefs of Staff to Maximize Leadership Impact
8:44
8:44
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In this episode of "Leveraging Leadership," Emily explores the decision-making process through the lenses of highest return on investment (ROI) and highest probability. She shares examples like asking someone to marry you versus inviting them for coffee, and applies it to business scenarios, like overhauling a strategic plan or making small tweaks …
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Why Connection is Critical for Leaders | Megan Billnoske
25:48
25:48
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How do you build a leadership style that goes beyond the paycheck and truly inspires your team? Megan Billnoske, president-elect for the National Speaker Association in Houston, joins us to share her transformative journey from the high-stakes world of international oil and gas to becoming a sought-after consultant, trainer, and coach. Megan opens …
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Not Your Grandma’s Consultant: Leadership Transformation Blueprint with Tirrell Payton
42:33
42:33
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In this episode of "Leveraging Leadership," Tirrell Payton Founder of Nooma Group talks about shifting focus from busywork to strategic outcomes and stresses empathy in leadership while leading change. Tirrell walks Emily through real-world examples like siloed teams in pharma marketing. They discuss practical ways leaders can transform their appro…
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Top 5 Strategic Initiatives for Chiefs of Staff
13:37
13:37
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In this episode of Leveraging Leadership, host Emily talks about key strategic initiatives for Chiefs of Staff, such as overseeing reorganizations, talent placement, and strategic planning. She details how chiefs of staff are central to rolling out new products and working on mergers and acquisitions. Emily also offers a strategic planning checklis…
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Have you ever considered that no matter how hard you try, one-third of people will always support you, another third will oppose you, and the remaining third can be swayed? In this episode, we dive deep into the "Law of Thirds" communication framework with John Carroll, Executive Director of City Leadership in Memphis. Drawing from his extensive ex…
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The Chief of Startup Success: Bridging Leadership and Operations for Excellence w/ Nikki Shakamuri
30:50
30:50
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From healthcare to creating viral content? Nikki's role as the chief of staff at Viraaal (yes, with three a’s) throws her in the deep end - TikTok ads for app devs. Plot twist! In her COS role, she cuts through the noise to drive efficiency. Emily and Nikki also swap stories on finding balance through simple joys like hanging with friends, Costco s…
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Leading Through Presence: A Chief of Staff's Role in Cultural Dynamics
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10:00
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In this episode of Leveraging Leadership, Emily talks about the impact a Chief of Staff's behavior and energy can have on shaping a company's culture. She shares a story about a client managing a reorg, emphasizing how body language and demeanor can comfort and energize a team during times of change. Emily advises that whether you're speaking or no…
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Flip Stress & Struggle, into Success | Kevin Goodnight
27:18
27:18
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Ever wondered how prioritizing self-care can transform your leadership style? Join us on the Leadwell Podcast as we sit down with Kevin Goodnight, a seasoned expert in sales and multifamily businesses who has shifted focus to support dads through his initiative, Dad Voted. Kevin candidly shares his journey from high-stress environments to adopting …
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Chief of Staff and VP: Navigating Dual Roles and Self-Care with Josh Nemes
22:54
22:54
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On this episode of Leveraging Leadership, Emily chats with Josh Nemes, VP and Chief of Staff at Zengistics, about the realities of juggling a dual leadership role. Josh shares how he navigates shifting responsibilities and highlights the importance of prioritizing high-value tasks, describing the support from his COO, and the role of his family in …
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The Compound Effect: How Simple Actions Lead to Big Results
18:37
18:37
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In this episode, Host Emily Sander, Chief of Staff turned executive leadership coach, discusses the power of the compound effect, starting with an Albert Einstein quote on compound interest. She cites Darren Hardy's book "The Compound Effect" to explain how small, consistent actions lead to big results. Emily also uses examples from Kobe Bryant and…
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Leading with Kindness and Accountability - w. Kenneth Rose
29:41
29:41
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Unlock the secrets to leading with kindness and accountability as we catch up with Kenneth Rose, President and CEO of UChicago Medicine AdventHealth Bolingbrook. After 16 years, Kenneth returns to share his remarkable journey from Grand Rapids to Chicago, emphasizing the critical role of genuine care in high-pressure environments like healthcare. D…
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ServiceNow EMEA Chief of Staff: Global Leadership and PR Strategies with Iliyana Stareva
27:29
27:29
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In this episode of Leveraging Leadership, Emily Sander talks with Iliyana Stareva, the Chief of Staff to the President of EMEA at ServiceNow. They discuss nuances of global leadership, aligning cross-cultural teams, the importance of crafting and managing internal PR campaigns. Additionally, Iliyana shares her personal routine to maintain work-life…
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Maximizing Your Time: Strategies for High-Impact Outputs
5:19
5:19
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In this episode of Leveraging Leadership, Emily outlines a straightforward approach to maximizing your efforts by identifying how many outputs you get from one input. Prioritize projects that trigger a domino effect of productivity. Tune in and gain valuable insights on how one strategic move can generate multiple benefits, whether you're a seasone…
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Cultivate Clear Vision & Communication - w. Stephen Smith
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34:40
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What if there was a way to communicate your organization's vision so effectively that it transformed the way your team sees and achieves its goals? Join us as Stephen Smith, founder and lead strategist at Aerable, shares his innovative seven-ingredient process for strategic communication. Stephen uses a unique agricultural analogy to explain how cu…
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A Shakespearean Actor’s Guide To Chief Of Staff: Storytelling And Artistry with Jason Cannon
45:39
45:39
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Jason Cannon is an accomplished former theater actor, director, playwright, and producer turned author and storytelling coach. Jason shares insights from his experiences in theater - from "Ted Lasso" to Shakespeare, storytelling frames our perceptions. Understanding character arcs in dramas and real-life high-stake scenarios is key. Our narratives …
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They Ask, You Answer by Marcus Sheridan: Philosophy for Marketing and Leadership
11:29
11:29
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In our latest Leveraging Leadership episode, Emily breaks down Marcus Sheridan's "They Ask, You Answer," showing how it's not just about marketing, but how you handle any business convo. Think getting inside your customer's head, answering their burning questions fast, and using those insights to steer your marketing content. It's straight talk abo…
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The Power of Networks and Resilient Leadership - w. David Gow
26:47
26:47
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Discover how you can transform your leadership approach by building strong networks with insights from David Gow, the visionary founder and chairman of Gow Media. David shares his inspiring journey, detailing how overcoming personal challenges like introversion and actively seeking help has led to the creation of genuine relationships and successfu…
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CEO and Chief of Staff: Perry Knoppert and Karen Zeigler on the Power of Nonlinear Thinking
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39:40
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In this joint episode, get dual insights from CEO Perry Knoppert and Chief of Staff Karen Zeigler of the Octopus Movement. They share their views on transitioning to nonlinear leadership. They discuss how they work together seamlessly across countries, the traits to look for in a good Chief of Staff, and letting culture define itself. Perry and Kar…
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Guiding Your Team Through Change: Effective Communication Tips for CEOs and Executives
22:42
22:42
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In this episode of Leveraging Leadership, Emily discusses guiding teams through change with effective communication strategies and by leveraging the Chief of Staff. She highlights the importance of providing context and answering the question, "What does that mean for me?" in change situations. Emily shares real-life examples like bringing on a new…
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Discover the truth about trust within your organization and how it might be holding you back. Our guest, Cory Scheer, founder and CEO of TrustCentric Consulting, joins us to share groundbreaking insights from his book "Closing the Trust Gap." He reveals the jarring reality that 51% of frontline employees do not trust their leaders and the profound …
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CTO's Chief of Staff: Technology and Product Rollouts with SparkCognition’s Miles Thurman
30:35
30:35
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SparkCognition's Chief of Staff, Miles Thurman, talks about the ups and downs of guiding tech teams and the nitty-gritty of board meetings. He and Emily compare notes on preparing new execs for high-stakes decisions and share stories about how they each worked with their sales and sales ops teams to boost revenue. Other topics include: using red te…
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The Confidence Gap: Act First, Feel Confident Second
15:46
15:46
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In this episode of "Leveraging Leadership," Emily tackles the all-too-common issue of the confidence gap, revealing how action breeds confidence rather than the other way around. She shares strategies and personal anecdotes to help listeners, especially chiefs of staff, overcome self-doubt and step up as more assertive leaders. Links Mentioned: Boo…
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The Art of Power in Leadership - w. Talybra Hollins
21:33
21:33
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Unlock the transformative powers of leadership awareness with the incredible insights of Talybra Hollins from Allen Austin. This episode guarantees to equip you with a deeper understanding of how self-awareness in leadership roles not only shapes you but also the individuals you guide. Talybra reveals the potent influence leaders wield, and the nec…
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Nordic Oracle Consultant turned Silicon Valley's Strategic Force, Katrine Haugerud 2x Chief of Staff
33:30
33:30
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Join Katrine Haugerud as she shares practical leadership insights for translating strategy into operations. Learn about her experience with private equity-backed firms. Her book recommendation is "Traction" by Gino Wickman (https://amzn.to/4918MnL) – – – – – Timestamps 00:23 Katrine's Journey from Oracle to Chief of Staff 00:45 Katrine's Experience…
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Mastering High Value Writing for Business Leaders
17:16
17:16
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In this episode of "Leveraging Leadership," Emily discusses Erin Lebacqz’s "High Value Writing Workbook" and shares valuable writing tips for business professionals. She emphasizes the importance of knowing your reader, being concise AND nice, choosing familiar words and structuring emails for clarity. Emily highlights that every written communicat…
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Manage Your Risk as a Leader - w. Nicole Schultz
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Have you ever considered how the patchwork of your identity can shape your prowess as a leader? Nicole Schultz, a vanguard in the world of assurance and risk management, joins us to share her rich insights. Together, we unveil how the threads of age, gender, and ethnicity have colored her leadership experience, providing a tapestry of lessons on in…
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An Executive’s Perspective: Lawrence Coburn Chief of Staff Lesson; and redefining the role with AI
35:47
35:47
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In this episode, executive Lawrence Coburn shares his experiences and advice on effectively using a Chief of Staff, emphasizing trust and strategic planning. He talks about bringing back a former intern, Matt, to fill this critical role during a period of rapid company growth. Lawrence also discusses their AI tool, Ambient, which not only takes not…
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When And How To Park Your Ego At The Door As Chief Of Staff
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Chief of Staff is the consummate behind the scenes role. It’s not about you. Sometimes you have to let others have the last word, sometimes you have not care who gets credit, and sometimes you have to apologize (even if you didn’t do anything wrong!) Chiefs of Staff are assertive, direct, and stand their ground when needed. They also must know when…
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Transform Hurdles into Success for G.R.O.W.T.H. - w. Steve Mellor
29:16
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Unlock the synergy between personal mastery and professional triumph as we share time with Steve Mellor, a seasoned high-performance coach and former Olympic swim coach. Steve artfully navigates us through the essentiality of personal growth as the bedrock of your professional achievements. Drawing from a rich coaching background, he explains why b…
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Basketball to Boardrooms and “Recovering from Corporate America”, Chief of Staff Shantel Wilkins
37:11
37:11
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Shantel Wilkins stops by the show and talks about overcoming challenges in her childhood, finding a basketball coach who made a huge impact on her and changed the trajectory of her life, and why and how she had to recover from the corporate world grind. She is now the Chief of Staff at Donor’s of Color Network and working on something she is passio…
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Strategic Planning: 5 Crucial Steps for Success
22:12
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Dive into five critical steps of strategic planning. Define your mission and vision (why does your company exist?), getting an HD panoramic view of your customer, assessing your current state, etc. Plus two bonus steps on often overlooked aspects of objectives and KPIs. Tune in for tips on execution and common pitfalls to avoid, chiefs of staff and…
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Lead a Legacy: Developing Leadership that Lasts - w. Josh Parnell
39:15
39:15
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Imagine carving a path that leaves a trail of inspiration for others to follow. That's the essence of leadership that endures, a theme we unpack with Josh Parnell, a leadership coach with an extraordinary journey from film school to the Air Force. Together, we explore the nuanced art of crafting a legacy, emphasizing adaptability and intention in d…
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