What actually changes when you move from operational leadership into the strategic conversations at the top table?

In this episode we explore that question through the lens of COO leadership with our guest, Divinia Knowles. Drawing on her experience as a COO, CEO and now a coach to operational leaders, she shares what she has learned about the shift from execution to strategic contribution.

One of the biggest transitions, particularly for COOs and operational leaders, is moving from being valued for what you deliver to being valued for how you think. We discuss why this shift can feel uncomfortable, especially when working alongside visionary founders or strong personalities who appear naturally strategic.

Divinia introduces her model of role, remit and relationships, offering a practical way for COOs to understand the value they bring to a senior leadership team. We also explore the confidence barrier many executives face when contributing to strategy, including the very common experience of questioning whether you are allowed to challenge the CEO or shape the direction of the business.

A key theme running through the conversation is the need to deliberately create thinking space. Strategic leadership rarely appears in the gaps between meetings. It requires time, perspective and the confidence to develop your own view of the business.

Key Points Discussed

• Why COOs are often defined by doing and why that can make the transition to strategic leadership harder
• The shift from being valued for execution to being valued for thinking and perspective
• How Divinia’s model of role, remit and relationships helps clarify the COO contribution
• Why many executives feel uncertain about challenging strategy at the leadership table
• The dynamic between visionary founders and operational leaders
• How leadership teams benefit from different thinking roles and perspectives
• Why “be more strategic” is often unhelpful feedback without clarity or support
• The importance of protecting time for thinking as a core leadership responsibility

Key Takeaway

Moving from operational excellence to strategic leadership requires a deliberate shift. Creating thinking time, forming your own perspective and contributing it confidently are essential steps in that transition.

About our guest:

Divinia is a former start-up and scale-up Chief Operating and Financial Officer, now an EMCC-accredited coach and founder of the London COO Roundtable. She has coached over 150 COOs, CEOs and founders through growth, complexity and exit. She specialises in working with COOs and senior leadership teams, bringing a practical, honest perspective on the realities of operating at the top of organisations. Her background includes senior roles at Mind Candy and Pact Coffee, alongside extensive psychologically informed coaching training.

https://www.cooroundtable.com/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/diviniaknowles/

Thank you for tuning into this episode of The Strategic Leader podcast.

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If you have any questions or want to discuss anything, we’d love to hear from you:

www.gemmabullivant.co.uk (for Gemma)

www.wearegoodthinking.co.uk (for Fi)