Podcast

Leveraging Leadership

Business, Careers, Management

Leadership is messy. Most advice isn't built for the reality of competing priorities, difficult stakeholders, limited time, and imperfect information.

Leveraging Leadership is a practical leadership podcast for Chiefs of Staff, executives, founders, and senior operators who want to lead more effectively and navigate complexity with confidence.

Hosted by Emily Sander, former Chief of Staff and executive advisor, each episode delivers real-world lessons, practical frameworks, and candid conversations with leaders across business and beyond.

Topics include executive communication, leadership presence, decision-making, delegation, organizational influence, operating rhythms, team effectiveness, and the often-unspoken challenges leaders face behind the scenes.

If you're looking for thoughtful conversations, practical takeaways, and leadership advice you can actually use on Monday morning, you're in the right place.

Episodes
314
Releases
Twice a week
Typical length
38 min
On air since
2023
Latest episode
2 weeks ago

Episodes

314 episodes, newest first

  1. You Don’t Need to Master AI. You Need Decision-Grade Fluency

    Season 1, Episode 404

    Show notes

    Diane Sadowski-Joseph, co-founder of Clarinet, joins me to talk about what it actually means for a company - and its leaders - to become AI-enabled.

    We start with the increasingly common mandate to “do the AI thing.” Diane explains why that instruction is almost meaningless until leaders connect AI back to the business outcomes they already care about: growth, profitability, market share, efficiency, and better decision-making. AI isn’t the strategy. It’s another lever available to help execute the strategy.

    We also get into the very human side of AI adoption: fear, identity, judgment, resilience, and why leaders don’t need to become AI experts. They need what Diane calls decision-grade fluency - enough hands-on understanding to know when AI is useful, when it isn’t, and how to make better strategic decisions around it. We unpack A, B, and C loops for redesigning workflows, how to move from fear to curiosity, what causes “AI slop,” and why managers need to get much clearer about what good work actually looks like.

    Links Mentioned
    Clarinet
    Diane Sadowski-Joseph on LinkedIn

    Get in touch with Emily:
    Want to chat with Emily? Book a quick clarity call here.

    Free Leadership Resources

    LinkedIn
    Website
    Newsletter

    Who Am I?
    If we haven’t met before - Hi👋 I’m Emily, Chief of Staff turned Executive Leadership Coach. After a thrilling ride up the corporate ladder, I’m focusing on what I love - working with people to realize their professional and personal goals. Through my videos here on this channel, books, podcast guest spots, and newsletter, I share new ideas and practical and tactical tools to help you be more productive and build the career and life you want.

    Time Stamps:
    01:00 – Why “Do the AI Thing” Is a Blurry Mandate
    03:30 – The Fear and Identity Crisis Behind AI Adoption
    05:40 – Why Judgment and Discernment Matter More Now
    08:20 – AI Is Redesigning Work, Not Just Adding Another Tool
    12:20 – Strong Convictions, Loosely Held
    15:50 – The “Aggressive Resilience” AI Requires
    18:20 – Why You Don’t Need to Become an AI Expert
    22:10 – Decision-Grade AI Fluency
    26:10 – The Superuser Flywheel: Start With Friction
    28:30 – How Do You Prove AI Is Creating Business Value?
    29:20 – A Loops, B Loops, and C Loops
    33:00 – Connect AI Efficiency to Outcomes That Matter
    36:50 – What Good Leadership Looks Like in the AI Era
    38:10 – Why Teams Produce “AI Slop”
    40:40 – Be Clear About Where the Saved Time Goes
    42:50 – How Clarinet Helps Companies Become AI-Enabled

    49 min
  2. Why Big Ideas Die Inside Good Organizations

    Season 1, Episode 403

    Show notes

    Terry Young, author of Possibility Sciences: A Discipline for Turning Bold Ideas Into Reality, joins me to talk about why bold ideas so often die before they ever make it into the real world.

    We get into what Terry calls the “Possibility Gap” - the distance between what humans can imagine and what our existing systems can actually bring to life - and why closing that gap requires more than better brainstorming or better technology. It requires changing the incentives, structures, and habits that quietly push organizations back toward incrementalism.

    Terry also explains concepts like Return on Future, patient capital, moonshots, zero-waste innovation, and why innovation may be shaped less by individual bravery than by the systems surrounding people. We also talk about human-AI collaboration, where AI can help us navigate the known at scale while humans bring judgment, curiosity, and the ability to explore the unknown.

    Links Mentioned:
    Possibility Sciences
    Possibility Sciences: A Discipline for Turning Bold Ideas Into Reality
    Become a Possibilian

    Get in touch with Emily:
    Want to chat with Emily? Book a quick clarity call here.

    Free Leadership Resources

    LinkedIn
    Website
    Newsletter

    Who Am I?
    If we haven’t met before - Hi👋 I’m Emily, Chief of Staff turned Executive Leadership Coach. After a thrilling ride up the corporate ladder, I’m focusing on what I love - working with people to realize their professional and personal goals. Through my videos here on this channel, books, podcast guest spots, and newsletter, I share new ideas and practical and tactical tools to help you be more productive and build the career and life you want.

    Time Stamps:
    01:20 – The Possibility Gap: Why Great Ideas Never Become Reality
    03:20 – What Is a Possibilian?
    04:50 – Return on Future vs. Short-Term ROI
    06:10 – Stick, Stack, Fund: Why Bold Ideas Need Patient Capital
    08:00 – Commercial Realism, Ethics, and the Possibilian Ethos
    10:20 – Why Big Missions and Moonshots Matter
    13:10 – Tackling Human Trafficking as a Systems Problem
    16:00 – Rebuilding the Innovation Operating System
    18:20 – Why Incentives Shape Innovation More Than Bravery
    22:20 – Building a New Discipline and Seeding It Into Old Systems
    25:50 – Zero-Waste Innovation and Why Every Idea Matters
    27:50 – Stop Hoarding Ideas and Start Building on Them
    31:30 – AI + Humans: Hybrid Intelligence
    34:30 – Making Money and Doing Good at the Same Time
    35:50 – The Book, Possibility Sciences, and Becoming a Possibilian

    38 min
  3. How PE-Backed Companies Turn Strategy Into Results

    Season 1, Episode 402

    Show notes

    Private equity firms invest with a value creation plan. But the strategy on the slide deck only matters if the company can actually execute it.

    Brea Page, founder of Keep75 and a former Google Chief of Staff and strategy leader, joins me to talk about what happens after the investment: turning strategy into operating rhythms, getting founders and PE firms aligned on expectations, building reporting that creates an early-warning system, and helping leadership teams shift from doing everything themselves to actually scaling through the organization.

    We also dig into Brea’s “champion and challenge” model for the Chief of Staff, why PE-backed companies often need someone dedicated to keeping execution from slipping, and how a strong Chief of Staff can turn a strategy from an idea on paper into measurable business results.

    Along the way, we talk about founder transitions, PE/portfolio-company communication, internal Chief of Staff promotions, the danger of giving someone the Chief of Staff role without taking away their old job, and why the operating partner + embedded Chief of Staff model may be one of the strongest ways to support portfolio companies as they scale.

    Links Mentioned:
    Keep75
    Brea Page

    Get in touch with Emily:
    Want to chat with Emily? Book a quick clarity call here.

    Free Leadership Resources

    LinkedIn
    Website
    Newsletter

    Who Am I?
    If we haven’t met before - Hi👋 I’m Emily, Chief of Staff turned Executive Leadership Coach. After a thrilling ride up the corporate ladder, I’m focusing on what I love - working with people to realize their professional and personal goals. Through my videos here on this channel, books, podcast guest spots, and newsletter, I share new ideas and practical and tactical tools to help you be more productive and build the career and life you want.

    Time Stamps:
    04:10 – From Google to Private Equity
    06:00 – How Operations Create Value
    10:50 – The Founder Shift: Accountable vs. Responsible
    13:50 – Translating Between PE and Portfolio Companies
    18:40 – What “Founder-Led” Means After PE Investment
    20:20 – Why PE-Backed Companies Need Chiefs of Staff
    24:30 – What a Chief of Staff Actually Does
    26:20 – Operating Partners + Embedded Chiefs of Staff
    30:20 – Hiring and Matching the Right Chief of Staff
    36:30 – The Ideal PE Operating Model + Keep75

    #chiefofstaffpodcast #ChiefOfStaff #COSpod

    41 min
  4. Executive Presence Is Range, Not a Persona

    Season 1, Episode 401

    Show notes

    Executive presence isn't a checklist of confident behaviors, and it isn't a persona you put on when you reach the C-suite.

    Jacque McCormack, co-founder of JetStream Advisors and an executive coach with more than 15 years of experience working with leaders and executive teams, joins me to unpack what executive presence actually looks like in practice: how people experience you, how you flex between authority and approachability, and how you stay grounded enough to respond intentionally when the pressure rises.

    We talk about the difference between performative confidence and quiet confidence, the leadership models we unconsciously copy, and why a new executive role can be a chance to deliberately evolve your leadership brand. Jacque also shares specific considerations for women navigating the authority-approachability double bind, along with practical communication tools like bottom-line-up-front messaging and emotional granularity.

    A big theme throughout the conversation: executive presence is less about looking the part and more about knowing the wake you create - especially when things get difficult.

    Links Mentioned:
    JetStream Advisors
    Previous Leveraging Leadership conversation with Noel Sobelman

    Get in touch with Emily:
    Want to chat with Emily? Book a quick clarity call here.

    Free Leadership Resources

    LinkedIn
    Website
    Newsletter

    Who Am I?
    If we haven’t met before - Hi👋 I’m Emily, Chief of Staff turned Executive Leadership Coach. After a thrilling ride up the corporate ladder, I’m focusing on what I love - working with people to realize their professional and personal goals. Through my videos here on this channel, books, podcast guest spots, and newsletter, I share new ideas and practical and tactical tools to help you be more productive and build the career and life you want.

    Time Stamps:
    00:50 - What executive presence actually feels like
    03:20 - Performative confidence vs. quiet confidence
    05:30 - The authority-approachability spectrum
    08:40 - Audit the leadership model you're mimicking
    12:40 - Starting fresh in your first C-suite role
    15:10 - Define your leadership brand and the wake you create
    20:40 - Executive presence and the double bind for women
    24:40 - Bottom-line-up-front communication and emotional granularity
    27:20 - Leadership halos, shadows, and stress responses
    29:20 - The pause: responding instead of reacting
    34:20 - Emotional sovereignty is a muscle, not fake it till you make it
    36:10 - Matching leadership horsepower to the organization
    38:20 - Why leadership development became a calling

    #chiefofstaffpodcast #ChiefOfStaff #COSpod

    43 min
  5. From Safe Bets to Breakthroughs: Building a Balanced Innovation Portfolio

    Season 1, Episode 400

    Show notes

    Noel Sobelman explains innovation portfolio management and how companies can bridge the gap between strategy and execution. He shares a medical device company example where shifting from safe, incremental projects to a more balanced mix led to higher growth. The conversation also covers using tools like metered funding, managing risk, and how roles like Chief of Staff help leaders focus on what's best for the whole company instead of just one business unit.

    Links Mentioned:
    Noel Sobelman’s Book: Innovation Portfolio Management: Linking Strategy to Execution

    Connect with Noel Sobelman on LinkedIn

    Get in touch with Emily:
    Want to chat with Emily? Book a quick clarity call here.

    Free Leadership Resources

    LinkedIn

    Website

    Newsletter

    Who Am I?
    If we haven’t met before - Hi👋 I’m Emily, Chief of Staff turned Executive Leadership Coach. After a thrilling ride up the corporate ladder, I’m focusing on what I love - working with people to realize their professional and personal goals. Through my videos here on this channel, books, podcast guest spots, and newsletter, I share new ideas and practical and tactical tools to help you be more productive and build the career and life you want.

    Time Stamps:
    01:14 What Portfolio Management Means

    03:55 Medical Device Turnaround Story

    07:33 De Risking with Metered Funding

    12:41 Saying No and Staying Agile

    14:05 Governance and People Dynamics

    19:16 Assessing Your Current Portfolio

    23:51 Finding the Right Mix

    26:33 Decision Focused Portfolio Reviews

    28:32 AI and Maturity Benchmarking

    33:36 Success Metrics and Gold Standard Example

    40 min
  6. Freedom from Mental Captivity: Insights on Mediation and Workplace Communication

    Season 1, Episode 309

    Show notes

    Stan Lewis, a former OSHA investigator and mediator, explains how most workplace whistleblower cases come down to communication issues and how managers can prevent problems by listening early. He shares practical mediation tips, like letting people vent, asking what success looks like, and using company policy consistently. Stan also talks about the importance of addressing conflict when it’s still small and relates his “Freedom from Mental Captivity” framework from his new book.

    Links Mentioned:
    Pre-order Evict The Doubts Squatting Rent-Free In Your Mind Book

    Stan Lewis’ Website

    Get in touch with Emily:
    Want to chat with Emily? Book a quick clarity call here.

    Free Leadership Resources

    LinkedIn

    Website

    Newsletter

    Who Am I?
    If we haven’t met before - Hi👋 I’m Emily, Chief of Staff turned Executive Leadership Coach. After a thrilling ride up the corporate ladder, I’m focusing on what I love - working with people to realize their professional and personal goals. Through my videos here on this channel, books, podcast guest spots, and newsletter, I share new ideas and practical and tactical tools to help you be more productive and build the career and life you want.

    Time Stamps:
    01:01 What OSHA Really Does

    02:50 Preventing Issues Through Communication

    05:20 Early Resolution and ADR

    07:00 Mediator Questions That Work

    12:41 Setting Expectations and Offers

    15:59 Prework and Breaking Stalemates

    22:23 Handling Workplace Tension Early

    30:08 Speaking Their Language DiSC

    35:01 Evicting Doubts and Wrap Up

    40 min
  7. Persuasion Versus Manipulation: Ethical Leadership and Building Trust Across Teams

    Season 1, Episode 308

    Show notes

    JonRobert Tartaglione shares how to lead through influence without direct authority, drawing on his background in psychology and examples like political polarization and message framing. He explains why Chiefs of Staff need to use persuasive, not just expressive, communication and offers practical tips, such as using diagnostic questions, hedging language, and leveraging social norms in organizations. The conversation covers what actually works to change minds, why logic alone is rarely enough, and how to avoid manipulation or coercion.

    Links Mentioned:
    Influence51 Website

    Connect with JohnRobert on LInkedIn

    Get in touch with Emily:
    Want to chat with Emily? Book a quick clarity call here.

    Free Leadership Resources

    LinkedIn

    Website

    Newsletter

    Who Am I?
    If we haven’t met before - Hi👋 I’m Emily, Chief of Staff turned Executive Leadership Coach. After a thrilling ride up the corporate ladder, I’m focusing on what I love - working with people to realize their professional and personal goals. Through my videos here on this channel, books, podcast guest spots, and newsletter, I share new ideas and practical and tactical tools to help you be more productive and build the career and life you want.

    Time Stamps:
    01:14 Academic Journey and Psychology

    03:26 Political Psychology and Polarization

    06:55 Strategic Communication Modes

    14:50 Persuasion vs Manipulation

    20:55 Illusion of Explanatory Depth

    23:52 The Art of Listening

    27:59 Expressive vs Persuasive Communication

    32:20 Loss Aversion in Business

    38:31 Social Norms and Behavior

    43 min
  8. Speak Like a Pro: Boost Your Confidence with Tactical Leadership Drills

    Season 1, Episode 307

    Show notes

    Emily Sander shares three simple exercises to help anyone sound more confident in meetings, interviews, and presentations. She walks through the "expert game," explaining how to act like the world’s leading authority on random topics like Flashdance or koala bear feeding habits. The episode includes practical tips like recording yourself, using variety in your voice, and practicing for just 30 seconds a day.

    Get in touch with Emily:
    Want to sound more confident? Book a clarity call w/ Emily here.

    Free Leadership Resources

    LinkedIn

    Website

    Newsletter

    Who Am I?
    If we haven’t met before - Hi👋 I’m Emily, Chief of Staff turned Executive Leadership Coach. After a thrilling ride up the corporate ladder, I’m focusing on what I love - working with people to realize their professional and personal goals. Through my videos here on this channel, books, podcast guest spots, and newsletter, I share new ideas and practical and tactical tools to help you be more productive and build the career and life you want.

    Time Stamps:
    01:18 Exercise One Expert Game

    03:07 Expert Game Examples

    09:02 Exercise Two Three Things

    13:37 Range and Emotion Variations

    17:03 Exercise Three Five Things

    20:02 Daily Practice Habit

    22:57 Record and Refine Voice

    26:44 Pick the Right Moment

    27:46 Results and Final Wrap

    31 min
  9. Standards Over Stress: How Self-Leadership Heals Burnout and Brings Fulfillment

    Season 1, Episode 306

    Show notes

    Bobby Shelton shares his journey from chasing external accomplishments to finding real satisfaction through self-leadership, including losing 180 pounds and shifting his focus after reaching personal low points. The conversation covers the difference between "easy-hard" (doing things for others' approval) and "hard-hard" (pursuing what matters to you), and offers advice on setting simple, personal standards, like refusing to eat M&M's, to build discipline. The discussion also touches on faith, burnout, and how to align your inner life with your work as a founder, CEO, or Chief of Staff.

    Links Mentioned:
    Bobby Shelton’s Website

    Bobby Shelton’s Book

    The Self-Leadership Lab Podcast

    Get in touch with Emily:
    Want to chat with Emily? Book a quick clarity call here.

    Free Leadership Resources

    LinkedIn

    Website

    Newsletter

    Who Am I?
    If we haven’t met before - Hi👋 I’m Emily, Chief of Staff turned Executive Leadership Coach. After a thrilling ride up the corporate ladder, I’m focusing on what I love - working with people to realize their professional and personal goals. Through my videos here on this channel, books, podcast guest spots, and newsletter, I share new ideas and practical and tactical tools to help you be more productive and build the career and life you want.

    Time Stamps:
    01:06 Easy Hard vs Hard Hard

    02:34 Losing Yourself to Find Yourself

    05:08 Burnout and External Validation

    07:58 Finding Alignment and Purpose

    11:59 Mirror Moment and Commitment

    14:30 Purpose and Daily Standards

    17:18 Build Standards One Step

    20:31 Faith Philosophy and Selfless Leadership

    34:56 Redefining Success and Closing

    38 min
  10. Q&A: How to Lead a New Team Without Letting Your Old One Down

    Show notes

    Emily Sander answers a listener question from Megan, who just got promoted and is transitioning between teams. She gives advice on setting up the old team for success, like handing off tasks to a "go-to" person and clearly communicating that change to everyone. Emily also suggests doing a listening tour with the new team to learn from their experience and explains the importance of being confident, having a plan, and not expecting everything to go perfectly.

    Get in touch with Emily:
    Ready to make your next leadership move with confidence? Book a clarity call w/ Emily here.

    Free Leadership Resources

    LinkedIn

    Website

    Newsletter

    Who Am I?
    If we haven’t met before - Hi👋 I’m Emily, Chief of Staff turned Executive Leadership Coach. After a thrilling ride up the corporate ladder, I’m focusing on what I love - working with people to realize their professional and personal goals. Through my videos here on this channel, books, podcast guest spots, and newsletter, I share new ideas and practical and tactical tools to help you be more productive and build the career and life you want.

    Time Stamps:
    01:47 Reset After Limbo

    03:09 Hand Off to Jim

    04:52 Set Clear Boundaries

    07:09 Align with Both Bosses

    09:58 Lead the New Team

    12:55 30 Day Listening Tour

    16:25 Set Expectations and Culture

    19:04 Reinvent Your Leadership

    21:35 Bumps Are Normal

    22:46 Congrats and Wrap Up

    24 min
  11. Growing Vocal Authority: Insights for Executives from an Accent Coach

    Show notes

    Emily Sander talks with Jay Poulton, founder of The Accent Coach, about how senior leaders can use their voice more effectively. They discuss practical tips like breath control, vocal variety, and recording yourself to close the “authority gap,” and share examples of issues such as vocal fry, upturning at the end of sentences, and monotone delivery that impact credibility. Jay Poulton explains specific exercises and the importance of practicing your delivery out loud to sound more confident and authentic.

    Links Mentioned:
    Jay Poulton’s Website

    Connect with Jay Poulton on LinkedIn

    Follow Jay the Accent Coach on Instagram

    Follow the Accent Coach on Facebook

    Follow the Accent Coach on Tiktok

    Subscribe to the Accent Coach on YouTube

    Get in touch with Emily:
    Want to chat with Emily? Book a quick clarity call here.

    Free Leadership Resources

    LinkedIn

    Website

    Newsletter

    Who Am I?
    If we haven’t met before - Hi👋 I’m Emily, Chief of Staff turned Executive Leadership Coach. After a thrilling ride up the corporate ladder, I’m focusing on what I love - working with people to realize their professional and personal goals. Through my videos here on this channel, books, podcast guest spots, and newsletter, I share new ideas and practical and tactical tools to help you be more productive and build the career and life you want.

    Time Stamps:
    01:08 Origin Story in Accents

    02:30 Voice as an Instrument

    04:00 Closing the Authority Gap

    10:46 Variety Resonance and Framing

    25:13 Practice Out Loud

    27:13 Authenticity Over Performance

    29:40 Presence And Emotion

    32:40 Find Your Resonant Range

    38:12 Pause Articulate Improve

    51 min
  12. Three Powerful Checkpoint Questions to Level Up Your Leadership

    Season 1, Episode 303

    Show notes

    Emily Sander talks about setting up personal checkpoints to track growth and avoid getting stuck. She shares three practical questions she asks herself every other week: Where am I getting in my own way? What's a middle way? Who can help with that? She suggests different ways to do these check-ins, like journaling or using sticky notes.

    Get in touch with Emily:
    Want help creating meaningful checkpoints for your growth? Book a quick clarity call w/ Emily here.

    Free Leadership Resources

    LinkedIn

    Website

    Newsletter

    Who Am I?
    If we haven’t met before - Hi👋 I’m Emily, Chief of Staff turned Executive Leadership Coach. After a thrilling ride up the corporate ladder, I’m focusing on what I love - working with people to realize their professional and personal goals. Through my videos here on this channel, books, podcast guest spots, and newsletter, I share new ideas and practical and tactical tools to help you be more productive and build the career and life you want.

    Time Stamps:
    00:25 Setting Up Important Checkpoints

    01:18 Three Questions for Self-Reflection

    02:31 Question One: Getting in Your Own Way

    03:28 Question Two: Finding a Middle Way

    05:22 Question Three: Who Can Help

    08:19 Recap of the Three Questions

    08:44 Finding Your Checkpoint Method

    12:39 Closing Thoughts and Wrap Up

    13 min
  13. Wearable Mindfulness: The Ring Revolutionizing Leader Wellbeing

    Season 1, Episode 302

    Show notes

    Johan Matton, creator of the Pulse Mindfulness Ring, talks about his journey from filmmaking to building a wearable that helps people take mindful pauses throughout the day using quiet haptic vibrations instead of apps or data tracking. Emily Sander, a former Chief of Staff and early investor, shares how the ring helped her be more present, cut down autopilot habits, and manage stress. They discuss the science behind micro-pauses, the choice not to include biometrics, and upcoming features like synchronized vibrations for groups.

    Link Mentioned:
    Pulse Mindfulness Website

    Get in touch with Emily:
    Want to chat with Emily? Book a quick clarity call here.

    Free Leadership Resources

    LinkedIn

    Website

    Newsletter

    Who Am I?

    If we haven’t met before - Hi👋 I’m Emily, Chief of Staff turned Executive Leadership Coach. After a thrilling ride up the corporate ladder, I’m focusing on what I love - working with people to realize their professional and personal goals. Through my videos here on this channel, books, podcast guest spots, and newsletter, I share new ideas and practical and tactical tools to help you be more productive and build the career and life you want.

    Time Stamps:
    00:25 Disclosure Pulse Investment

    01:13 Meet Johan and Pulse

    02:02 Johann Before Pulse

    02:52 Origin Story of the Ring

    06:10 Building the Team and Tech

    08:32 Why No Biometrics

    11:29 Science Behind Micro Pauses

    15:18 How the Ring Modes Work

    35:38 Roadmap and Closing

    39 min
  14. Perfection Is an Illusion: Tips for Giving Better Answers in Meetings

    Season 1, Episode 301

    Show notes

    Emily Sander talks about the pressure to give perfect or "right" answers in interviews and meetings, shares examples like people panicking or rambling, and explains why aiming for a "good" answer is more realistic and helpful. She encourages listeners to drop the idea of perfection and focus on contributing value, even if their delivery isn’t flawless.

    Get in touch with Emily:
    You don't need the perfect answer. You need a clear one. Book a clarity call w/ Emily here.

    Free Leadership Resources

    LinkedIn

    Website

    Newsletter

    Who Am I?
    If we haven’t met before - Hi👋 I’m Emily, Chief of Staff turned Executive Leadership Coach. After a thrilling ride up the corporate ladder, I’m focusing on what I love - working with people to realize their professional and personal goals. Through my videos here on this channel, books, podcast guest spots, and newsletter, I share new ideas and practical and tactical tools to help you be more productive and build the career and life you want.

    Time Stamps:
    00:25 The Perfect Answer Trap

    01:11 Define What Perfect Means

    02:20 Perfection vs Excellence

    03:46 There Is No Right Answer

    05:20 Aim for a Good Answer

    07:05 Turn Rambling Into Clarity

    09:54 Speak Up With Confidence

    12:50 Final Takeaways and Sponsor

    14 min
  15. Trust and Impact: Ethical Influence and Authentic Leadership in Business

    Season 1, Episode 300

    Show notes

    Judith Germain explains her Maverick Leadership philosophy, focusing on trust, influence, and leading through uncertainty during reorganizations. She shares practical tips for Chiefs of Staff, like building trust before a crisis, giving people real agency in decisions, and using "intelligent disobedience" to challenge bad calls. The episode covers the difference between being trusted and being trustworthy, and how to spot genuine leadership versus performative behavior.

    Links Mentioned:
    Maverick Leadership Influence Diagnostic

    Judith Germain's Website

    Connect with Judith Germain on LinkedIn

    Get in touch with Emily:
    Want to chat with Emily? Book a quick clarity call here.

    Free Leadership Resources

    LinkedIn

    Website

    Newsletter

    Who Am I?
    If we haven’t met before - Hi👋 I’m Emily, Chief of Staff turned Executive Leadership Coach. After a thrilling ride up the corporate ladder, I’m focusing on what I love - working with people to realize their professional and personal goals. Through my videos here on this channel, books, podcast guest spots, and newsletter, I share new ideas and practical and tactical tools to help you be more productive and build the career and life you want.

    Time Stamps:
    00:28 Meet Judith Germain

    01:01 What Is Maverick Leadership

    04:08 Predictability Builds Trust

    07:13 Trusted vs Trustworthy

    08:58 How to Demonstrate Trust

    13:12 Spotting Performative Leaders

    19:11 Influence and Agency

    34:31 Intelligent Disobedience and Wrap Up

    39 min
  16. Rethinking How Can I Make Your Life Easier in the Chief of Staff Role

    Show notes

    Emily Sander shares feedback from a listener who disagreed with her advice to ask, "How can I make your life easier?" as a new Chief of Staff. The listener argued this question could reduce the role to admin work and distract from driving the team's main objectives. Emily Sander explains her view that the approach can help in some situations, especially early on, but agrees it's important for a Chief of Staff to adapt and stay focused on results.

    Get in touch with Emily:
    Want more practical Chief of Staff advice? Book a clarity call w/ Emily here.

    Free Leadership Resources

    LinkedIn

    Website

    Newsletter

    Who Am I?
    If we haven’t met before - Hi👋 I’m Emily, Chief of Staff turned Executive Leadership Coach. After a thrilling ride up the corporate ladder, I’m focusing on what I love - working with people to realize their professional and personal goals. Through my videos here on this channel, books, podcast guest spots, and newsletter, I share new ideas and practical and tactical tools to help you be more productive and build the career and life you want.

    Time Stamps:
    00:25 Listener Pushback Setup

    01:40 Fear of Admin Pigeonhole

    03:31 When Empathy Makes Sense

    04:53 Mixing Approaches as Chief of Staff

    06:36 Drive Objectives Hard

    09:23 Adapting by Team and Context

    11:29 Feedback Invitation and Wrap

    14 min
  17. Beyond IQ and EQ: Exploring PQ for Competitive Advantage in Business Leadership

    Season 1, Episode 298

    Show notes

    Rohit Bassi shares how his transition from consulting at McKinsey led him into a Chief of Staff role at a major PE-backed company, exposing him to real-world operations, M&A, and industry-changing deals. He explains his concept of "people quotient" (PQ) as a framework for evaluating leadership, organizational structure, and talent operations, and discusses how Chiefs of Staff can use PQ tools to make quick, impactful decisions about teams and company growth. The episode includes practical tips for applying PQ in both private equity due diligence and daily business operations.

    Interested in private equity? Be sure to check out Emily's other podcast, Private Equity Experience.

    Link Mentioned:
    Rohit Bassi’s Website

    Get in touch with Emily:
    Want to chat with Emily? Book a quick clarity call here.

    Free Leadership Resources

    LinkedIn

    Website

    Newsletter

    Who Am I?
    If we haven’t met before - Hi👋 I’m Emily, Chief of Staff turned Executive Leadership Coach. After a thrilling ride up the corporate ladder, I’m focusing on what I love - working with people to realize their professional and personal goals. Through my videos here on this channel, books, podcast guest spots, and newsletter, I share new ideas and practical and tactical tools to help you be more productive and build the career and life you want.

    Time Stamps:
    00:52 Rohit Chief of Staff Journey

    02:38 Inside the CEO Seat

    05:08 From Operator to Investor

    08:07 PE Basics and Due Diligence

    09:28 What Is People Quotient

    11:41 PQ Pillars and No Scores

    16:28 Why PE Misses People

    25:17 Using PQ as Chief of Staff

    28:23 Tools, Next Steps, Wrap Up

    44 min
  18. Consultants as Chiefs of Staff: Using Big Picture Thinking for Real Results

    Season 1, Episode 297

    Show notes

    Emily Sander talks about how consultants who become Chief of Staff often excel at big-picture thinking and mapping companywide projects, but tend to get stuck over-analyzing instead of taking action. She shares real stories of consultants perfecting charts and data while delaying implementation, and suggests asking yourself if you need to "think more or do more" to avoid getting in your own way. The episode highlights both the strengths and blind spots consultants bring to the Chief of Staff role.

    Get in touch with Emily:
    Ready to move from overthinking to execution? Book a clarity call w/ Emily here.

    Free Leadership Resources

    LinkedIn

    Website

    Newsletter

    Who Am I?
    If we haven’t met before - Hi👋 I’m Emily, Chief of Staff turned Executive Leadership Coach. After a thrilling ride up the corporate ladder, I’m focusing on what I love - working with people to realize their professional and personal goals. Through my videos here on this channel, books, podcast guest spots, and newsletter, I share new ideas and practical and tactical tools to help you be more productive and build the career and life you want.

    Time Stamps:
    00:25 Background Shapes Your Lens

    01:14 Consultant Superpowers

    02:14 Analysis Paralysis Trap

    02:58 Start Imperfectly

    04:37 Think More Or Do More

    05:48 Stop Getting In Your Way

    07:09 Pretty Charts Vs Progress

    09:13 Stakeholders And Big Picture

    11:46 Wrap Up And Sponsor

    14 min
  19. Building Organizational Culture Amidst Transitions and Layoffs

    Season 1, Episode 296

    Show notes

    Emily Sander talks with Yorm Ackuaku about building visibility as a Chief of Staff, especially in marketing-led organizations like Vista and Weight Watchers. Yorm shares practical tactics, such as highlighting team achievements on Slack, running engaging all-hands meetings, and managing culture during layoffs. She also gives advice for Chiefs of Staff working with new principals and for those navigating global teams.

    Get in touch with Emily:
    Want to chat with Emily? Book a quick clarity call here:https://www.nextlevel.coach/clarity-call

    Free Leadership Resources:https://nextlevel.coach/resources

    LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/emilysander/

    Website:https://nextlevel.coach

    Newsletter:https://emilysander.podia.com/newsletter-signup

    Who Am I?
    If we haven’t met before - Hi👋 I’m Emily, Chief of Staff turned Executive Leadership Coach. After a thrilling ride up the corporate ladder, I’m focusing on what I love - working with people to realize their professional and personal goals. Through my videos here on this channel, books, podcast guest spots, and newsletter, I share new ideas and practical and tactical tools to help you be more productive and build the career and life you want.

    Time Stamps:
    00:47 Making the CoS Role Visible

    02:34 First 30 Days Relationship Map

    06:30 Culture Rituals and Recognition

    10:09 Leading Through Layoffs

    13:34 Partnering With Your Principal

    16:17 Adapting to a New CMO Style

    21:09 Global Career and Culture Lessons

    35:36 Final Advice and Wrap Up

    40 min
  20. Practical Communication: Delivering Your Message With the Bottom-Line Approach

    Season 1, Episode 295

    Show notes

    Emily Sander shares a practical tip for communicating with busy executives: start with the bottom line first, then give a little necessary context, and invite questions if needed. Using the iceberg metaphor, Emily Sander explains that a Chief of Staff usually knows much more than they should share up front, and most conversations only need the essentials to help leaders make quick decisions.

    Get in touch with Emily:
    Want to sharpen how you communicate with executives? Book a clarity call w/ Emily here.

    Free Leadership Resources

    LinkedIn

    Website

    Newsletter

    Who Am I?
    If we haven’t met before - Hi👋 I’m Emily, Chief of Staff turned Executive Leadership Coach. After a thrilling ride up the corporate ladder, I’m focusing on what I love - working with people to realize their professional and personal goals. Through my videos here on this channel, books, podcast guest spots, and newsletter, I share new ideas and practical and tactical tools to help you be more productive and build the career and life you want.

    Time Stamps:
    00:25 The Bottom Line Tip

    01:32 Bring the Decision Forward

    02:35 Iceberg Communication Model

    04:12 Resist Showing Your Work

    05:03 Reverse Engineer the Details

    06:29 When Longer Talks Matter

    8 min