Leveraging Leadership

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Leveraging Leadership

Emily Sander

216 episodes

1 day ago

Emily shares a story about someone who gave their boss a basic org chart when asked about their department’s future, but missed the bigger picture the boss wanted. She explains how to shift from being just a task-doer to a strategic leader by connecting department changes to the company’s new vision, outlining system upgrades, communication plans, and several org chart options that align with that vision. Emily encourages thinking beyond simple answers and looking for ways to add value at a h...

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Emily shares a story about someone who gave their boss a basic org chart when asked about their department’s future, but missed the bigger picture the boss wanted. She explains how to shift from being just a task-doer to a strategic leader by connecting department changes to the company’s new vision, outlining system upgrades, communication plans, and several org chart options that align with that vision. Emily encourages thinking beyond simple answers and looking for ways to add value at a h...

Show more...

Episodes (20/216)

Leveraging Leadership

Australia’s Chamber of Commerce: Bridging Local, National, and International Business

Chanelle Pearson, Chief of Staff at the Victorian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, shares how her career moved from journalism to leading teams in advocacy, media, and events. She talks about launching the Chamber Change women’s leadership program, organizing the upcoming World Chambers Congress in Melbourne, and balancing her diverse responsibilities. Chanelle also offers advice for other Chiefs of Staff and explains how her team listens to members and shapes business policy. Links Mention...

1 day ago

29 minutes

Leveraging Leadership

Listener Question: Defining VP Roles and Titles for Growing Teams

Emily answers a listener’s question about job titles in a growing 50-person company, giving advice on moving beyond generic VP roles and considering more specific titles like VP of Operations or Chief of Staff. She explains the importance of planning for future growth, staying flexible with titles, and being mindful of internal dynamics when making these decisions. She also shares cautionary tales about people getting attached to their job titles. Links Mentioned: Clarity Call with Emily&nb...

6 days ago

8 minutes

Leveraging Leadership

Department of Defense Chief of Staff on Missions, Mental Health and Mentorship

"Any views expressed are the opinions of Mr. Williams and do not reflect the position or represent the U.S. Department of Defense. Mr. Williams' participation does not constitute any implied or actual endorsement of any nonfederal entity by the U.S. Government." Johnathan "JDUBB" Williams, Chief of Staff for the Joint Functional Component Command for Integrated Missile Defense, shares how he quickly brought transparency and better communication to his team by holding open meetings, sending h...

1 week ago

51 minutes

Leveraging Leadership

Listener Question: How to Handle the One Team Member Who Won’t Submit Their Flash Report

A Chief of Staff asks how to handle a team member who never submits their flash report, despite lots of reminders and training. Emily suggests letting the slacking team member feel the peer pressure in meetings, such as by leaving their section blank in the board report or calling on them in front of the group and holding an awkward silence. The episode covers practical escalation steps and emphasizes that, after fair attempts to help, it's okay to let someone face the consequences of not doi...

1 week ago

12 minutes

Leveraging Leadership

Executive Assistant to Executive Business Partner in VC and PE

Jessica Porter shares her path from Executive Assistant to Executive Business Partner and acting Chief of Staff, working in both venture capital and private equity-backed companies. She talks about managing KPIs, handling turnarounds, being a conduit between PE firms and leadership teams, and leveraging AI to solve business problems. Jessica also highlights the importance of understanding investment theses, using storytelling in board meetings, and joining professional organizations like the ...

2 weeks ago

38 minutes

Leveraging Leadership

Q&A: Balancing Tactical and Strategic Demands as a Resource-Constrained Chief of Staff

Emily answers Nicole S.'s question about how to balance the tactical and strategic sides of the Chief of Staff role, sharing examples from both startup and large company experiences. She covers ways to prioritize, how to have conversations with your principal about trade-offs, and offers practical advice like delegating, automating, and asking if all tasks are necessary. Emily also explains why it’s important to regularly check if you’re spending your time where it matters most. Links Menti...

2 weeks ago

16 minutes

Leveraging Leadership

Using Story Arcs: From Stage Events to Successful Investor Pitches

Steve Werner shares how he helps founders and companies run engaging sales events by building a story arc that keeps audiences interested. He gives practical tips for prepping investor pitch decks, including being clear about strengths and weaknesses, saying where you need help, and avoiding slides covered in text. The conversation covers how to sequence team stories in a pitch, build trust with investors, and handle tough Q&A sessions. Links Mentioned: Steve Werner’s WebsiteBook a Virtu...

3 weeks ago

39 minutes

Leveraging Leadership

Four Reasons to Retain Your Chief of Staff During a Downturn

Cutting your Chief of Staff during a downturn is a big mistake—they act as a utility player who can fill gaps in HR, operations, sales, and more. Chiefs of Staff keep morale up after layoffs, help maintain strong communication, support the CEO’s decision-making, and are key to rebuilding when things improve. Emily compares them to the knight in chess: flexible, able to jump over obstacles, and unblock problems where others can’t. Links Mentioned: Clarity Call with Emily Free Resources...

3 weeks ago

10 minutes

Leveraging Leadership

Event Planning, Ribbon Cutting, and Community Building: Rolling Out a Global Brand’s US Presence

Jacki Grosso, Chief of Staff and Communications Manager at Lotte Biologics, shares her journey from managing Olympic events to leading in biotech. She talks about organizing a major ribbon-cutting event, bridging cultural gaps with Korea, refreshing the Syracuse Bio campus, and communicating complex science in simple terms. Jacki also gives practical advice on staying flexible, building strong relationships, and balancing multiple roles. Free Resources: Strategic Planning Checklist Chi...

4 weeks ago

35 minutes

Leveraging Leadership

How to Optimize Your LinkedIn Profile for Career Growth: A Comprehensive Walkthrough

This episode is a hands-on walkthrough of how to update and improve your LinkedIn profile, especially if you're aiming for a Chief of Staff role. Emily shares practical tips, like making your top banner intentional, choosing a clear headshot, and adding personality in your byline. She also covers how to highlight relevant experience, include memorable details (like a surfing photo or fun tagline), and make your profile easy for recruiters and hiring managers to scan. Links Mentioned: Clarit...

1 month ago

31 minutes

Leveraging Leadership

How to Actually Be Happier at Work and Lead Like a Pro

Andrew Matthews, bestselling author known for "Being Happy," shares how happiness starts with accepting your current situation and focusing on the good in any challenge—like when Thomas Edison watched his factory burn and still saw the silver lining. He explains that happy, resilient people create their own positive workplaces by being kind, not complaining, and supporting others. Andrew also offers practical tips for dealing with negative thoughts and discusses his latest book, "Bouncing Bac...

1 month ago

40 minutes

Leveraging Leadership

Listener Question: How to Lead Effective Conference Prep Without Doing All the Work Yourself

A listener asks how to prep for a conference kickoff meeting without getting overwhelmed. Emily explains that a Chief of Staff shouldn't do all the work alone and suggests framing group discussions around key topics like conference themes, attendee info, and potential Q&A panel questions. She shares practical tips like getting input from team members and focusing on facilitating effective conversations instead of having every answer ready in advance. Links Mentioned: Clarity Call with E...

1 month ago

9 minutes

Leveraging Leadership

Force Multiplier Mindset: Maximizing Impact as an EA or Chief of Staff

Hallie Warner talks about her journey from Executive Assistant to Chief of Staff, the differences between those roles, and how they work together in both small and large companies. She shares real situations, like launching a year-long leadership program with an EA handling logistics, and discusses common setups and struggles between these positions. Hallie also gives practical advice for EAs and Chiefs of Staff and recommends top books like "Fierce Conversations" and "Multipliers." Links M...

1 month ago

38 minutes

Leveraging Leadership

Nailing Curveball Interview Questions for Chief of Staff Jobs

A listener preparing for final Chief of Staff interviews asks how to handle unexpected or tricky questions. Eric shares strategies like expecting curveballs, using them as a way to show problem-solving skills, and shifting interview conversations to a more natural tone. He gives examples such as reframing the question or asking for more details, and reminds listeners that not every question has a simple, right answer. Links Mentioned: Clarity Call with Emily Free Resources: Strategic ...

1 month ago

9 minutes

Leveraging Leadership

What It’s Really Like Being a Fractional COO or Chief of Staff

Scott Adams shares how he went from working in pro sports and leading teams at Exos and Mayo Clinic to offering fractional COO and Chief of Staff services. He explains the difference between COO and Chief of Staff roles, how he helps companies realign strategy and improve efficiency, and why real listening is key to building trust. Scott also talks through how he approaches discovery calls, setting bold goals with clients, and why leaders should focus on small improvements that add up over ti...

1 month ago

42 minutes

Leveraging Leadership

Stop the Bottleneck: Keep Things Moving By Spreading Decisions Around

This episode covers how bottlenecks form when every decision goes through the CEO and shows how a Chief of Staff can help move decision-making power to the leadership team and even frontline managers. Emily explains how shifting decisions after a reorg, giving authority to those closer to the information, and using a process of transitioning decisions from the CEO to others can speed things up. She also shares a real-life example about cruise ship captains making rerouting calls during a hurr...

1 month ago

8 minutes

Leveraging Leadership

Wearing All the Hats: The Reality of Gaps in Startup Teams

Sabrina Dhaliwal shares her unique career path from a Financial Analyst at the Canadian Coast Guard to Chief of Staff and Product Marketing Manager at a tech startup. She talks about landing her current job through a networking coffee chat, jumping into unexpected roles like head of marketing, and why learning quickly is key for Chiefs of Staff in fast-paced environments. The episode also covers work-life balance, building an 18-month roadmap, and the importance of community engagement for st...

1 month ago

30 minutes

Leveraging Leadership

Spotting Small Wins: Celebrate Consistency and Growth - Keys to Stronger Teams

Chief of Staffs are reminded to celebrate both team and individual wins, especially during hectic times. Emily shares examples like acknowledging milestones in developing life-saving medical devices and recognizing a team member who overcame personal challenges. She suggests celebrating with small gestures, public recognition, or private notes, and emphasizes not to overlook consistent high performance. Links Mentioned: Clarity Call with Emily Free Resources: Strategic Planning Checkl...

2 months ago

6 minutes

Leveraging Leadership

The Secret to Great Teams: Understanding Core Human Drives (Learn, Acquire, Defend, Bond)

Jay Johnson, a global speaker and consultant, explains his Behavioral Elements Assessment, which is based on four biological drives: learn (air), acquire (fire), defend (earth), and bond (water). Jay and Emily discuss her unusually balanced results across all four elements, the strengths and challenges of each drive, and how Chiefs of Staff and executives can use these insights to improve team communication and put people in the right roles. Jay also shares real examples, like adapting messag...

2 months ago

42 minutes

Leveraging Leadership

How Chiefs of Staff Can Revive Leadership Team Meetings

This episode shares two practical tips for Chiefs of Staff looking to revamp their executive team's meeting routine: delete the old meeting series and start a new one as the organizer, then give the meeting a fresh name to set a new tone. Examples include replacing a dull weekly meeting where team members air grievances or read KPIs with a more energized and purposeful leadership session. These simple moves help signal change and boost engagement. Links Mentioned: Clarity Call with Emily&nb...

2 months ago

4 minutes