Leveraging Leadership

Greg Williams, Chief of Staff at Western Computer, talks about helping companies, like those supplying Walmart, navigate supply chain challenges during COVID-19. He sheds light on the importance of ERP systems for growing businesses and offers advice on vendor selection and tech modernization. Greg also discusses trends in bringing manufacturing back to the U.S. and how private equity firms work with his company to upgrade systems post-acquisition.

Links Mentioned:

• Western Computer's Website
• Connect with Greg Williams on LinkedIn
• 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:
00:25 Meet Greg Williams: Supply Chain Expert
01:57 Partnership with Microsoft
03:25 Understanding ERP Systems
04:15 Choosing the Right ERP Solution
07:16 Benefits of ERP Systems
12:27 Vendor Selection and Risk Mitigation
18:37 Supply Chain Challenges and Future Trends
28:42 Connecting with Greg and Western Computer

Emily explains three key ways to use a Chief of Staff effectively. First, principals need to identify their needs, like lifting out of daily tasks for fundraising or strategic focus. Second, teams may need help in areas like marketing expertise or mediating executive conflicts. Third, companies should consider both immediate needs and long-term goals, identifying gaps or game-changing talents the Chief of Staff can address.

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:
00:32 Identifying Principal Needs
01:52 Supporting the Executive Team
04:06 Addressing Company Needs
05:03 Maximizing the Chief of Staff Role

Larissa Licha, a former tattoo artist turned tech leader, shares her journey from Google Ads customer support to Chief of Staff roles with various tech executives. She explains how she founded Joyn to help Chiefs of Staff manage overwhelming work tools, integrating systems like Slack and Notion into one central place. Larissa also discusses the importance of building trust and clear roles within the organization to foster effective collaboration.

Links Mentioned:

• Joyn's Website
• 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:
00:37 Meet Larissa Licha: From Tattoo Artist to CEO Tech Leader
01:29 The Journey to Chief of Staff
05:06 Navigating Different Leadership Styles 
09:51 Building Trust in a Remote Environment
10:59 Introducing New Executives to the Team
16:18 Advice for Chiefs of Staff and CEOs
19:43 Solving Chief of Staff Challenges with Joyn
22:11 How Joyn Works

If you're considering bringing on a Chief of Staff or just need someone to explain the basics, this episode lays the groundwork and levels-set the foundation for future discussions on the role.

A Chief of Staff works closely with the CEO, helping with company strategy, gap-filling key roles, and ensuring executive team cohesion. They can set up effective meeting structures, help onboard new executives, and even turn around toxic cultures. Key examples include managing strategic planning, coordinating board governance, and running critical projects during crises like COVID. 

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:
00:31 Defining the Chief of Staff Role
01:11 The Chief of Staff's Strategic Importance
02:09 Key Responsibilities of a Chief of Staff
05:07 Chief of Staff in Action: Real-World Examples
05:47 Strategic Planning and Meeting Structures
12:31 Board Governance and Executive Integration
18:22 Gap Filling and Recruitment
21:49 Cultural Transformation and Crisis Management
29:05 Conclusion and Contact Information

Emily talks with Dela Quist about increasing email marketing engagement by varying subject lines and sending more frequent emails. Emily shares a story about a persistent salesperson to highlight the importance of staying top of mind. They also discuss Dela's extensive background in the industry and his views on open rates and effective email strategies.

Links Mentioned:

• Connect with Dela Quist on LinkedIn
• Dela Quist's Website
• 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:
00:33 Meet Dela Quist: Email Marketing Authority
02:14 The Evolution of Email Marketing
05:08 Batch and Blast vs. Personalized Emails
06:59 The Power of Brand Impressions
09:44 Overcoming Email Marketing Misconceptions
12:11 The Economics of Email Marketing
13:05 Smart Email Strategies: “Do Be Smart”
18:31 Understanding Consumer Preferences
20:40 Content vs. Offers in Email Marketing
22:15 The Power of Email Subject Lines
34:09 Engaging the Unengaged

Emily explains three types of executive transitions: planned, sudden, and founder transitions. She discusses challenges like resistance to change, knowledge gaps, and cultural fit, and offers tools such as transition teams and clear job descriptions. Two examples provided include a nonprofit's executive director change and a tech startup's rapid CEO replacement.

Links Mentioned:

• Choosing the Right Coach for Your Career Transition Blog
• Leveraging Leadership Episode 67
• 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:
00:25 3 Kinds of Transitions: Planned, Sudden, Founder
01:37 Opportunities for Organizational Realignment
02:41 Challenges in Executive Transitions
05:34 Tools for Managing Transitions
09:21 Supporting Departing Leaders
10:24 Real-World Examples of Transitions

Mel Mathews shares her journey to becoming Chief of Staff at Performance Architects, highlighting the importance of networking and professional conduct. She talks about working closely with co-founders on growth strategies and conducting an anonymous engagement survey to gather employee feedback on PTO policies. Mel emphasizes the need for clear role definitions and the value of institutional knowledge when recruiting for leadership positions.

Links Mentioned:

• Performance Architects' Website
• 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:
00:33 Mel's Career Journey
02:01 About Performance Architects
03:53 Role and Responsibilities of a Chief of Staff
04:36 Autonomy and Trust in Leadership
07:19 Returning to Performance Architects
16:25 First 60 Days as Chief of Staff
23:17 Advice for Executives Hiring a Chief of Staff
28:30 Favorite Aspects of Being Chief of Staff

Emily offers three practical tips for ensuring your work meets your boss's needs: ask for clarification at the start, paraphrase the request back, or complete a small part of the task and check in. She discusses the benefits of asking for context, outlining steps, and presenting initial thoughts. 

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:
00:52 Tip 1: Ask for Context (“What are you going to use this for?”)
01:30 Tip 2: Paraphrase and Outline Steps
04:04 Tip 3: Do a Small Portion First

Emily speaks with cybersecurity expert Terry Zimniak about balancing security spending with business development and the importance of penetration testing and backup plans. Terry shares insights from his shift from technical roles to overseeing security, including how strategic partnerships like Ascension Health’s acquisition come with risks. They also discuss the role of frameworks like NIST CSF and the growing threat of AI in phishing and deepfake scams.

Links Mentioned:

• Terry Zimniak's Website
• Cybersecurity Frameworks and Guides:

          ◦ NIST Cybersecurity Framework
          ◦ FTC Cybersecurity Guidance for Small Businesses

• 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:
00:25 Meet Terry Zimniak: Cybersecurity Expert
00:46 Journey into Cybersecurity
03:25 Balancing Security for Small Businesses
05:58 Compliance and Risk Management
16:50 Business Resiliency and Cybersecurity
26:42 AI and the Future of Cybersecurity

Emily talks about the concept of "currency" in different work roles, sharing an example of a new Chief of Staff who had to shift her focus from production numbers to building relationships and culture. She explains that understanding and using the right currency, like relationships for a Chief of Staff or time and focus for an executive team, adds value to the role. Emily encourages listeners to identify and possibly change their own "currency" to better serve their team and company.

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:
00:25 Understanding Your Currency
02:12 Evaluating and Adapting Your Currency
03:02 Conclusion and Call to Action