Leveraging Leadership

Vivek Modi shares his journey from engineering in Africa to consulting at Ernst and Young and Roland Berger, and now to Chief of Staff for two CEOs at a fast-growing German startup. He compares consulting and Chief of Staff roles, breaks down how he builds trust with senior leaders, and offers practical advice on influencing without authority. Vivek also highlights the importance of clarifying responsibilities before taking on a Chief of Staff job and talks about using LinkedIn for mentoring and connecting.

Links Mentioned:

• Connect with Vivek Modi on LinkedIn

Free Resources:

• Strategic Planning Checklist 
• Chief of Staff Skills Assessment Checklist
• A Day in the Life of a Chief of Staff
• Chief of Staff Toolkit

Get in Touch With Emily:

• Connect on LinkedIn
• Follow on YouTube
• Learn more about coaching 
• Sign up for the newsletter
• Clarity Call with Emily

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:

00:46 Vivek's Journey to Chief of Staff
01:53 Transition to Consulting
02:45 Chief of Staff Role Explained
03:30 Consulting vs. Chief of Staff
08:48 Influencing Without Authority
09:53 Building Trust and Relationships
22:06 Operational vs. Strategic Work
28:02 Supporting Two CEOs
37:14 Mentorship and Giving Back
38:59 Future Aspirations and Conclusion

Emily shares a personal story about being made the interim leader of a digital marketing department as Chief of Staff, even though he knew nothing about digital marketing at the time. She talks about asking basic questions like "What does SEO stand for?" and dealing with colleagues who doubted her, including being called out during a team meeting. The episode highlights how not being a technical expert can actually be an advantage and gives tips for handling imposter syndrome by focusing on transferable skills and tracking your own progress.

Links Mentioned:

• Clarity Call with Emily

Free Resources:

• Strategic Planning Checklist 
• Chief of Staff Skills Assessment Checklist
• A Day in the Life of a Chief of Staff
• Chief of Staff Toolkit

Get in Touch With Emily:

• Connect on LinkedIn
• Follow on YouTube
• Learn more about coaching 
• Sign up for the newsletter
• Clarity Call with Emily

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:

02:04 Emily's Story: Taking on a New Role
04:00 Facing Challenges and Learning on the Job
12:04 Overcoming Imposter Syndrome with Confidence
15:28 Navigating New Responsibilities
16:44 Building Confidence Through Experience
21:36 Embracing Vulnerability as a Leader
23:37 Redefining Imposter Syndrome

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 Mentioned:
14th World Chambers Congress

Free Resources:

• Strategic Planning Checklist 
• Chief of Staff Skills Assessment Checklist
• A Day in the Life of a Chief of Staff
• Chief of Staff Toolkit

Get in Touch With Emily:

• Connect on LinkedIn
• Follow on YouTube
• Learn more about coaching 
• Sign up for the newsletter
• Clarity Call with Emily

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:

00:39 Chanelle Pearson's Career Journey
02:25 Understanding Chambers of Commerce
04:05 Victorian Chamber of Commerce Activities
07:38 Women in Business Program
13:56 Role of Chief of Staff
19:00 World Chambers Congress
26:09 Final Thoughts and Farewell

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

Free Resources:

• Strategic Planning Checklist 
• Chief of Staff Skills Assessment Checklist
• A Day in the Life of a Chief of Staff
• Chief of Staff Toolkit

Get in Touch With Emily:

• Connect on LinkedIn
• Follow on YouTube
• Learn more about coaching 
• Sign up for the newsletter
• Clarity Call with Emily

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:

00:56 Importance of Structure at 50 Employees
01:35 Specific Titles and Chief of Staff Role
02:21 Planning for Future Growth
03:15 Reverse Engineering Titles
04:02 Considering Team Dynamics and Flexibility
06:46 Motivations Behind Title Changes
08:03 Conclusion and Contact Information

"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 his 30-day assessments to the whole command, and encouraging direct feedback. He talks about the importance of mental health in high-stress jobs, his own experience at Walter Reed, and how mentorship helps leaders at every level. Williams also discusses how staying calm in crisis situations sets the tone for the whole team.

Links Mentioned:

• Military OneSource
• Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society
• Family Care Center
• USAJobs Website
• Connect with Jonathan "JDUBB" Williams on LinkedIn

Free Resources:

• Strategic Planning Checklist 
• Chief of Staff Skills Assessment Checklist
• A Day in the Life of a Chief of Staff
• Chief of Staff Toolkit

Get in Touch With Emily:

• Connect on LinkedIn
• Follow on YouTube
• Learn more about coaching 
• Sign up for the newsletter
• Clarity Call with Emily

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:

1:41 Johnathan's Military Journey
04:58 Role and Responsibilities at Space Command
07:45 Leadership and Management Strategies
20:05 Mentorship and Professional Development
26:04 Encouraging Mentorship in Command
27:09 Implementing Mentorship Programs
30:56 Advocating for Mental Health
33:18 Personal Mental Health Journey
40:03 Integrating Mental Health in Leadership

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 doing their part.

Links Mentioned:

• Get the Flash Report Template
• Clarity Call with Emily

Free Resources:

• Strategic Planning Checklist 
• Chief of Staff Skills Assessment Checklist
• A Day in the Life of a Chief of Staff
• Chief of Staff Toolkit

Get in Touch With Emily:

• Connect on LinkedIn
• Follow on YouTube
• Learn more about coaching 
• Sign up for the newsletter
• Clarity Call with Emily

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 The Problem with One Team Member
03:30 Escalation Tactics
03:54 Using Peer Pressure and Silence
06:11 Further Escalation and Consequences
08:19 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

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 Chief of Staff Association for support and growth.

Free Resources:

• Strategic Planning Checklist 
• Chief of Staff Skills Assessment Checklist
• A Day in the Life of a Chief of Staff
• Chief of Staff Toolkit

Get in Touch With Emily:

• Connect on LinkedIn
• Follow on YouTube
• Learn more about coaching 
• Sign up for the newsletter
• Clarity Call with Emily

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:

00:43 Jessica's Early Career and First EA Role
02:33 Transition to Strategic Roles
03:41 Law Firm Experience and Hospital System Role
04:53 Climbing the Corporate Ladder
05:51 Learning from Previous Roles
07:36 Understanding the Executive Business Partner Role
09:19 Working with PE Firms
11:48 Role of a Strategic Conduit
22:31 Board Relations and Communication
27:02 Differences Between VC and PE
33:06 Final Advice and Closing Remarks

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 Mentioned:

• Clarity Call with Emily

Free Resources:

• Strategic Planning Checklist 
• Chief of Staff Skills Assessment Checklist
• A Day in the Life of a Chief of Staff
• Chief of Staff Toolkit

Get in Touch With Emily:

• Connect on LinkedIn
• Follow on YouTube
• Learn more about coaching 
• Sign up for the newsletter
• Clarity Call with Emily

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 Balancing Tactical and Strategic Responsibilities
01:36 Company Stage and Role Dynamics
03:53 Challenges in Shifting to Strategic Work
05:06 Conversations with Your Principal
07:04 Making Strategic Decisions
07:42 Prioritizing Tasks and Trade-offs
11:15 Delegation and Automation
11:56 Evaluating Tactical Work
12:58 Adapting to Company Changes
15:03 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

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 Website
• Book a Virtual Coffee with Steve

Free Resources:

• Strategic Planning Checklist 
• Chief of Staff Skills Assessment Checklist
• A Day in the Life of a Chief of Staff
• Chief of Staff Toolkit

Get in Touch With Emily:

• Connect on LinkedIn
• Follow on YouTube
• Learn more about coaching 
• Sign up for the newsletter
• Clarity Call with Emily

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:

00:39 Connecting Over Shared Interests
01:22 Event Planning and Production
02:07 Engaging Presentations
06:40 Crafting a Compelling Pitch
16:59 The Hero's Journey in Storytelling
19:47 Introducing Key Team Members
21:12 Crafting Different Pitch Segments
22:57 Building Trust Through Vulnerability
30:20 Handling Q&A Effectively
35:36 Final Tips and Personal Insights

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:

• Strategic Planning Checklist 
• Chief of Staff Skills Assessment Checklist
• A Day in the Life of a Chief of Staff
• Chief of Staff Toolkit

Get in Touch With Emily:

• Connect on LinkedIn
• Follow on YouTube
• Learn more about coaching 
• Sign up for the newsletter
• Clarity Call with Emily

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:

00:48 Reason 1: The Utility Infielder
01:45 Reason 2: The Culture Keeper
04:16 Reason 3: Keeping the Principal Sane
06:00 Reason 4: The Comeback Catalyst
07:52 Summary of Key Points
08:27 The Chess Knight Analogy