Leveraging Leadership

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 passionate about. She encourages others to find their “...

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 leaders at any level will find actionable advice...

Dr. Gary Simonds, former neurosurgeon, is back! In episode 26 he chatted about how to recover from burnout. In this episode, we talk about how to spot it in team members and colleagues and how to have a conversation about it. Check out Dr. Gary’s fiction book: Death’s Pale Flag . Dr. Gary Simonds on LinkedIn Dr. Gary Simonds is a renowned neurosurgeon and author of "Death's Pale Flag,&qu...

Are you in a Chief of Staff role and feel stuck at a certain level - you want to break through to a “higher level version” of the role, becoming involved in more of the big picture, strategic stuff, but don’t know how? Good news. You have a plethora of opportunities to make that change. This episode is about finding catalyst moments or events to shift your role. You can use external events like a...

In this episode of Leveraging Leadership, I sat down with Clara Ma, the founder of Ask a Chief of Staff. We chatted about landing that game-changing Chief of Staff role, goldmine of tips on networking, crafting a standout resume, and making a successful pitch to executives. Clara outlines the various tiers of Chief of Staff membership and what you get in each and shares the details of the upcoming...

Ever wonder why you “click” with some people and “clank” with others? DISC is a behavioral assessment tool, kind of like Myers-Briggs Clifton Strengths, but I like it because it only has four Styles. In this deep dive episode, I’ll take you through the DISC methodology, how to identify your DISC Profile Style and what to look for in others to identify their Style. You’ll get some tactical and prac...

You’ve heard the analogy used to describe a COS, but is it true? Jim Terheyden was a real-life air traffic controller in the Marines. Hear his take! Jim and I also talked about the theme of humility in the role, managing team dynamics, spearheading an overseas initiative, and knowing which balls to drop when you get overwhelmed. Jim on LinkedIn Smartcar Jim Terheyden is a seasoned leadership exper...

Learn how the ranking member of the House Armed Services Committee overcame panic attacks and severe physical pain. Emily has a special connection to this Congressman as she served as their intern right after university! Hear about the special connection the Congressman had with his Chief of Staff throughout the process.   Read Lost and Broken Resources listed in the back of the book: American Psy...

It’s not every day you get to talk to someone who has lifted a car, helps people tap into their inner and outer strength, and is an NLP and CBT practitioner! But that’s what happened in this episode of Leveraging Leadership. Zoe Thompon stopped by and we had a great conversation around building resilience personally and professionally, balancing health and productivity, making choices and saying “...

This episode is about being a good situational leader when a team member is driving you nuts First, make sure you’re using the right word to describe them. Are they truly incompetent (i.e. unable to perform a task, are incapable of it) or is this a training or communication issue - is it a “YOU thing”? Are you “bracketing” them correctly? Teams will be made up of three groups, over performers, ave...

Nathan Lian went from working at JP Morgan, to startups, and is our first guest who works as a part-time Chief of Staff. Learn the differences and similarities between a full-time Chief of Staff role.  We chat about: -       How he selects which companies to work with -       How many companies he works with at one time -       What kind of projects he works on within companies -       Which team...

Need to get something done and don’t have time to do the “fully baked” version? Here’s a real-life example of how to break something down into the Minimally Viable Product version.  Listen to this example and see how you might apply the equivalent solution in projects you’re working on now.  Timestamps 00:22 Example New Hire Training Program 01:34 Recording Existing Calls for Video Bank 02:57 Enha...

In this episode, Emily sits down with her former CFO (and one of her all time favorite people), Rory Liebhart! They explore the multifaceted role of the Chief Financial Officer (CF) in today’s business landscape. ●     Rory’s journey from selling t-shirts on a doc to a multi-time CFO, President and Director of PE-backed companies ●     Collaborating with other executives to drive organizational su...

Here’s a common scenario when I’m coaching Chiefs of Staff: They describe a situation that’s happening at work and with a shake of the head and furrowed brow they ask, “Is this… normal ?” Great question, camper! Yes, it’s “normal” in the sense that it’s probably happening to more Chiefs of Staff than you. No, it’s not “normal” in the sense that it might not be the best way to optimize the COS role...

Erin Lebacqz is an accomplished educator and author of, “High Value Writing.”   Upgrade your business communication with the insights of Erin:  -       Crafting messages with audience needs in mind -       How to communicate with CLARITY -       Active voice vs. passive voice, deciding when to use each -       What level of directness to use in different scenarios  -       Nuances of global commun...

Frustrated because you meticulously and painstakingly pull reports together for leadership and then... no one freaking reads them!?  I got you. Here’s an unconventional way to tell if people are actually reviewing what you’ve put together: Put weird stuff in the report. Pick your audience. Pick your timing. But this can be a fun way to go :)  – – – – –  Timestamps 00:04 The Problem of Unread Repor...

Join host, Emily Sander, as she sits down with former Chief of Staff and philanthropist, Kalen Stanton. Emily and Kalen share a unique connection, as he played a pivotal role in supporting her when she initially stepped into the Chief of Staff position. Get ready for a laugh as Kalen tells the story of how he ended up in the Chief of Staff role (hint: it’s not the one he applied for). Kalen discus...

Welcome to our book club episode, featuring  “12 Week Year” by Brian P. Moran and Michael Lennington! You know that feeling you get on New Year's Eve? That fresh start, clean slate vibe? What if you could harness that energy year-round? Emily covers: Today we’re digging into creating a clear vision and overcoming mindset hurdles (shifting from “impossible” to “it’s a given”) and how to use st...

In this podcast episode, Emily interviews Debra Boggs, Founder and CEO of D&S Executive Career Management. Debra offers insights on structuring your job search and positioning yourself as a Chief of Staff candidate. Discover effective ways to showcase your work experience, optimize your LinkedIn profile, and master networking. By the episode's end, you'll be equipped to navigate the...

Got a CEO who's uncharacteristically delaying an important decision that people are waiting on? One possible reason is fear. Emily discusses the critical role of the COS in pushing through this roadblock, including bringing it to their attention (hint: they might not even know it’s a thing), along with practical questions and talk tracks to move them into forward action and next steps.   – –...

Join us on Leveraging Leadership with former monk Madhu Dasa as he shares his journey from spiritual seeker to business coaching success. Discover how bhakti yoga's disciplines translate into leadership excellence. In this episode, Madhu discusses the power of understanding personal gifts, creating a balanced lifestyle, and finding joy in meditation. Explore themes of mindfulness, self-discov...

What to do when interviewing for a Chief of Staff role and the CEO responds with "I don't know" to key questions about the role's responsibilities and structure. Emily outlines two potential scenarios and outlines how to navigate each situation. Emily also shares ongoing takeaways that every COS should remember.   – – – – – Timestamps 00:50 Two Scenarios of CEO's Response...

In this episode of Leveraging Leadership, host Emily Sander, a former Chief of Staff turned Executive Leadership Coach, sits down with Natalie Crohn, who has served as Chief of Staff at two different organizations. The pair share their experiences in the role, with topics from authenticity and networking to the handling of day-to-day challenges and strategic planning, there's plenty of insigh...

Curious about the responsibilities of a Chief of Staff? Emily shares five specific duties in business she handled in her role. From spearheading the recruitment of key executives to revamping marketing strategies and ensuring the CEO's well-being, these examples offer a glimpse into the daily life of a Chief of Staff. Use them to assess whether this role aligns with your own responsibilities,...

In Leveraging Leadership, Emily Sander interviews Ed Sullivan, Marine Chief of Staff. Ed shares 30 years in the Marines, covering his journey from ROTC cadet to Colonel. The conversation explores proxy roles, leadership challenges, the significance of trust and communication, and high-stakes decisions. They discuss evolving military strategies, personal leadership styles influenced by observation...