Shows
Leveraging LeadershipMastering Power, Office Politics, and Leadership in Modern OrganizationsEmily Sander talks with Tinna Jackson about navigating power dynamics as a Chief of Staff in the U.S. Senate, handling office politics, and the importance of emotional intelligence and trust in leadership. Tinna shares tips on building relationships with board members, managing micromanagers, and methods for better communication in remote or hybrid teams. She also discusses her book, The Power Play Journal, and her group coaching program for aspiring leaders.Links Mentioned:Tinna Jackson’s Book: The Power Play Journal: Battle-Tested Strategies & Reflections for Impactful LeadershipConnect with Tinna Jackson on LinkedIn
2025-12-0835 minLeveraging LeadershipListener Q&A: Managing Sales Reps Who Focus on Rebranding Over RevenueEmily Sander talks about what to do when a Business Development Rep starts doing graphic design, website tweaks, and HubSpot updates instead of making calls. She shares ways to set clear expectations, give frequent feedback, and explains when it's time to let someone go if things don't change. Examples include weekly check-ins, specific quotas, and distinguishing useful creativity from distracting tasks.Links Mentioned:Clarity Call with Emily Free Resources:Strategic Planning Checklist Chief of Staff Skills Assessment ChecklistA Day in the Life of a Chief of StaffChief of Staff To...
2025-12-0313 minLeveraging LeadershipListener Question: Why Your Boss Wants Results, Not DatabasesEmily Sander answers a listener’s question about how to get through to a boss who says, “I don’t care about the database, I care about results.” She talks about reframing communication to focus on the boss’s priorities, suggests offering options for overcoming constraints, and gives tips like sharing summaries instead of full reports. Emily shares examples, including her own experience with company data sets, and explains how choosing different words can keep conversations productive.Links Mentioned:Clarity Call with Emily Free Resources:Strategic Planning Checklist Chief of Staff Ski...
2025-11-2613 minLeveraging LeadershipFrom Google to Coaching: Supporting Leaders and Building Relationships in BusinessEmily Sander talks with Katie Rohn about her journey from sales to strategy at Google and her time as a Chief of Staff. They share stories about the different versions of the Chief of Staff role, how relationships shape the job, and why self-reflection matters during career transitions. Katie explains how she coaches generalists and Chiefs of Staff, and both discuss the pros and cons of taking the scenic route in your career.Links Mentioned:Connect with Katie Rohn on LinkedInFree Resources:Strategic Planning Checklist Chief of S...
2025-11-2444 min
Private Equity ExperienceWhy Private Equity LOVES the Flash Report (And You Should Too)In this episode, hosts Emily Sander, Ed Barton, and Rory Liebhart dive deep into one of the most powerful tools for leadership teams and private equity-backed companies: The Flash Report.What You’ll Learn:What a Flash Report is and why it’s a game-changer for leadership transparency and decision-making.How to structure a Flash Report using frameworks like Balanced Scorecard, OKRs, or EOS.Why Flash Reports improve communication with boards, investors, and internal teams.Real-world examples of key metrics and narrative sections that make Flash Reports effective.How to avoid common pitfalls—like overcomplication or incons...
2025-09-1855 minLeveraging LeadershipFrom Execution to Aftermath: Managing the Realities of LayoffsPart 2 focuses on the practical steps and real-life challenges of carrying out layoffs, like coordinating with HR and IT, preparing benefit info, and setting up conversations with those affected. Emily shares personal experiences, including handling difficult reactions and making sure Chiefs of Staff help with both the announcements and the follow-up communication to support everyone involved. The episode also covers how to manage the work left behind and how to help teams refocus after a layoff round.Links Mentioned:Emily’s EmailConnect or Message Emily Sander on LinkedInClarity Call with Emily F...
2025-09-1716 minPrivate Equity ExperienceIs Private Equity Too Big to Fail?Welcome to another insightful episode of The Private Equity Experience podcast! In this episode, Emily Sander, Ed Barton, and Rory Liebhart dive into the controversial question: Is private equity too big to fail? As they discuss the parallels between the banking industry's "too big to fail" concept and private equity's massive influence, they explore the implications for investors, companies, and the broader economy.Key Topics Covered:What does "too big to fail" mean for private equity?The role of private equity in the economy and employment.Historical precedents and lessons from past financial crises.Potential triggers...
2025-09-0438 minLeveraging LeadershipListener Question: Building a Mini PMO as Chief of Staff - Growth or Backslide?Emily answers a listener question from Tamsen in Minneapolis, who’s been asked to build a mini PMO function. She talks through concerns about returning to project management work, possible worries about people management, and how to clarify the scope with the CEO and COO. Emily suggests separating past experiences from the new opportunity and making sure the Chief of Staff role remains broad and strategic.Links Mentioned:Emily Sander’s LinkedIn ProfileClarity Call with Emily Free Resources:Strategic Planning Checklist Chief of Staff Skills Assessment ChecklistA Day in the Li...
2025-09-0309 minPrivate Equity ExperienceRaising Capital 101: Insights from Seasoned PE ProsDescription:In this episode, we explore the various types of funding rounds that a startup or business can undergo, ranging from angel investing to private equity buyouts. Our guests, Emily Sander and Rory Liebhart, are joined by Ed Barton, who shares his expertise on the private equity side.Key Takeaways:Angel investing: This refers to the initial round of funding, typically provided by high-net-worth individuals or family offices. It's a high-risk, high-reward investment, and the investor typically seeks a 10- to 20-fold return on investment.Pre-Series A: This is the next round of...
2025-06-1244 minLeveraging LeadershipHow Non-Action Conversations Enhance Business RelationshipsEmily Sander talks about the importance of conversations focused on understanding, not always on doing. As a Chief of Staff, you're often in "go mode," but sometimes it's essential to just listen and understand a team member's perspective. She gives tips like changing the conversation's setting or tone to foster better understanding and notes that this skill is key for mediating disagreements and improving team performance.Links Mentioned:Clarity Call with Emily Free Resources:Strategic Planning Checklist Chief of Staff Skills Assessment ChecklistA Day in the Life of a Ch...
2025-04-3008 minLeveraging LeadershipListener Question: How to Request Feedback as a New Chief of StaffEmily Sander answers a listener's question about getting specific feedback in the Chief of Staff role. She suggests asking more focused questions and tailoring the feedback process to fit individual preferences, like providing options for written or verbal feedback. Emily also highlights the importance of building a culture of open feedback through demonstration and modeling.Links Mentioned:Clarity Call with Emily Free Resources:Strategic Planning Checklist Chief of Staff Skills Assessment ChecklistA Day in the Life of a Chief of StaffChief of Staff Toolkit Get in Tou...
2025-04-1609 minLeveraging LeadershipExclusive Edition: AceUp’s Game-Changing Coaching Platform and 360 Feedback ReportsEmily Sander hosts Sara Dakin, Senior Coach Network Manager at AceUp, to discuss their coaching platform focused on leadership development using technology and data. They explore the use of 360-degree feedback reports, highlighting strengths and growth areas, with examples of how this has impacted leaders like Sara. They also talk about AceUp's team coaching initiatives and the integration of AI to enhance coaching experiences. Emily has a special connection to AceUp - tune in to hear about it!Links Mentioned:AceUp WebsiteFree Resources:Strategic Planning Checklist Chief o...
2025-04-1446 minLeveraging LeadershipTackling Office Politics: Are You Ready to Play the Game?Emily Sander discusses the challenges of navigating office politics, identifying the "games" at play, and deciding if you're willing and able to participate. Examples include dealing with strong personalities or working long hours. She also talks about life changes affecting your willingness to play and shares strategies for shifting your approach over time.Links Mentioned:Clarity Call with EmilyFree Resources:Strategic Planning Checklist Chief of Staff Skills Assessment ChecklistA Day in the Life of a Chief of StaffChief of Staff Toolkit Get in Touch Wi...
2025-04-0908 minLeveraging LeadershipEffective Event Networking for Introverts: Enjoy Building Connections Without The StressEmily Sander introduces Rob Giardinelli, an introvert with a long career in the tech industry, who has attended over 2000 networking events and founded Event Mindset to help others with similar experiences. Giardinelli offers specific strategies for introverts, like starting conversations by asking "What brings you here tonight?" and finding conversations at the bar line or during event activities. He also emphasizes introverts' value at events and shares tactics for gracefully exiting conversations and engaging with event hosts.Links Mentioned:Event Mindset WebsiteEvent Mindset Contact Email: info@eventmindset.comConnect with Rob Giardinelli on LinkedIn
2025-04-0735 minLeveraging LeadershipBeyond Predictions: How Real Outcomes Shape Effective LeadershipEmily Sander discusses how we often let assumptions and predictions about future meetings or situations affect us. She shares examples like a boss announcing role changes and budget approval meetings to highlight the gap between our internal stories and reality. By reflecting on these differences, we can build evidence showing that negative assumptions rarely unfold as imagined and train our brains to expect a more balanced or positive outcome.Links Mentioned:Clarity Call with Emily Free Resources:Strategic Planning Checklist Chief of Staff Skills Assessment ChecklistA Day in the Li...
2025-04-0210 minLeveraging LeadershipChief of Staff Success: Tips for Thriving in Startup EnvironmentsEmily Sander talks with Rafael Mari about the role of Chief of Staff and its development in France compared to the US. Rafael shares his journey from financial consulting to Chief of Staff roles in various companies, including his current position at Swan, a European banking service provider. They discuss the importance of building trust with the CEO, having clear ownership of projects, and the necessity for CEOs to genuinely want a Chief of Staff for the role to be successful.Free Resources:Strategic Planning Checklist Chief of Staff Skills Assessment ChecklistA Day i...
2025-03-2437 minLeveraging LeadershipCrafting Clear Job Descriptions for Attracting The Right Talent to Your OrgEmily Sander discusses how Chiefs of Staff, particularly in smaller to mid-sized companies, can craft effective job descriptions. She shares a five-section structure: intro paragraph, what you'll be doing, what we're looking for, benefits and perks, and call to action. Emily provides examples, like including "what you'll be doing" bullet points and adding a unique attribute section for clarity.Links Mentioned:Clarity Call with Emily Free Resources:Strategic Planning Checklist Chief of Staff Skills Assessment ChecklistA Day in the Life of a Chief of StaffChief of Staff Toolkit
2025-03-1912 minLeveraging LeadershipWhen to Involve Additional Team Members in Critical Business DecisionsEmily Sander, Chief of Staff to an executive leadership coach, discusses how to handle underperforming team members by involving others in the team. She shares a case where a founder had difficulty getting metrics from a team member named Sharon. To solve this, Emily suggests including Daniel, an individual contributor close to the data, in meetings. This helps uncover Sharon's hidden talent and ensures essential work is completed, while also providing contingency plans if Sharon exits.Links Mentioned:Clarity Call with Emily Free Resources:Strategic Planning Checklist Chief of St...
2025-03-1208 minLeveraging LeadershipHow an Irish Comedian Uses Humor to Enhance Business CommunicationEmily Sander interviews Conor Cunneen, a former VP of Marketing turned keynote speaker and business humorist. Conor discusses the power of humor in business, using the "LAUGH" acronym to add humor to presentations. He shares examples like a neurosurgeon's humorous slide and suggests building a collection of anecdotes to make work environments more engaging.Links Mentioned:Conor Cunneen’s WebsiteFree Resources:Strategic Planning Checklist Chief of Staff Skills Assessment ChecklistA Day in the Life of a Chief of StaffChief of Staff Toolkit Get in Touch With Emily:Co...
2025-03-1037 minLeveraging LeadershipMaking Critical Leadership Decisions During Major Industry DisruptionsEmily Sander discusses how leaders can make strategic decisions when unexpected events occur, using an example of a project that fell behind due to industry changes. A company leader had to shift focus from their planned initiative to tackle a new urgent industry policy, which Emily explains was a necessary strategic adjustment, not a failure. She emphasizes that changing plans in response to significant changes is a sign of good leadership.Links Mentioned:Clarity Call with EmilyFree Resources:Strategic Planning Checklist Chief of Staff Skills Assessment ChecklistA D...
2025-03-0504 minLeveraging LeadershipWorth The Fight? Juggling Short-Terms Wins and Long-Term GoalsEmily Sander talks about deciding which battles to fight in a leadership role. She shares a story of a Chief of Staff who chose a short-term reorg plan to avoid conflict with a long-standing Chief Product Officer. Another example is a CEO who decided to replace a problematic Senior Vice President to prepare the company for a sale.Links Mentioned:Clarity Call with EmilyFree Resources:Strategic Planning Checklist Chief of Staff Skills Assessment ChecklistA Day in the Life of a Chief of StaffChief of Staff Toolkit
2025-02-2607 minLeveraging LeadershipFinding Balance Between Work Tasks and Relationship BuildingEmily Sander interviews Matt Hartman, a Chief of Staff at Oracle, about his dual role overseeing employee-facing technology and a service group. Matt shares his strategies for prioritization, like focusing on company-wide goals first, utilizing delegation, and fostering teamwork across global teams. He highlights practices like implementing "Friye" for recognition and ensuring cross-training in his team to handle challenges effectively.Free Resources:Strategic Planning Checklist Chief of Staff Skills Assessment ChecklistA Day in the Life of a Chief of StaffChief of Staff ToolkitGet in Touch With Emily:C...
2025-02-2440 minLeveraging LeadershipAvoiding Overcorrection in Personal Growth - Balancing Leadership StrengthsEmily Sander discusses the importance of not losing your strengths while trying to fix your weaknesses. She shares examples like someone being too aggressive in communication and someone being too timid. Emily emphasizes that being direct can be a strength if balanced, just as listening can be, and encourages self-awareness and using feedback to improve leadership skills.Links Mentioned:Clarity Call with EmilyFree Resources:Strategic Planning Checklist Chief of Staff Skills Assessment ChecklistA Day in the Life of a Chief of StaffChief of Staff Toolkit
2025-02-1910 minLeveraging LeadershipA Decade in the Making: Founder and COS Together AgainEmily Sander talks with guests Nikki Barua and Cheryl Couch about building and leading a professional development platform that helps businesses grow highly engaged, future-ready talent. Using community-driven, tech-enabled learning, they help top companies boost revenue, retention, and engagement while empowering diverse professionals to rise as resilient leaders. Their mission is to expand economic opportunity for all, guiding professionals from campus to the C-suite and creating a platform that accelerates success for everyone. Because when more of us have a seat at the table, everyone wins.Links Mentioned:Connect with Nikki Barua on LinkedInConnect with Cheryl...
2025-02-1739 minLeveraging LeadershipUsing Flash Reports to Improve Leadership Communication and Keep the Board HappyEmily Sander discusses the benefits of flash reports in tracking company performance. Flash reports provide a quick overview with KPIs from each department and brief updates from department leaders. They help leadership teams stay informed and enhance board relations by facilitating clear and direct communication.Links Mentioned:Clarity Call with EmilyFree Resources:Strategic Planning Checklist Chief of Staff Skills Assessment ChecklistA Day in the Life of a Chief of StaffChief of Staff ToolkitGet in Touch With Emily:Connect on LinkedInFollow on Y...
2025-02-1214 min