Leveraging Leadership

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Podcast by Emily Sander

Leveraging Leadership

Are you ready to up your leadership game? Tune in to Leveraging Leadership, where business professionals and leaders find the tools, strategies, and insights they need to excel. Hosted by Emily Sander, a C-suite executive turned leadership coach, this podcast delivers practical and tactical takeaways every week.

Whether you're tackling tough conversations, fine-tuning your KPIs, or mastering delegation, this show offers new perspectives and actionable advice to help you feel confident and thrive in your role.


Each Monday, enjoy interviews with leaders from diverse fields—primarily business, but also from military, politics, and higher education. Every Wednesday, catch a solo episode where Emily shares concise, actionable insights on a specific topic you can apply immediately.

If you appreciate relatable, informal conversations that pack a punch with no fluff, you’re in the right place. While especially valuable for Chiefs of Staff, the insights are useful for any leader aiming to grow.

Don’t miss your chance to advance as a leader.

Latest episodes

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06 November 2024

Thinking of Hiring a Chief of Staff? A Primer for CEOs and Founders

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, coord...

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33:46

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04 November 2024

8 Email Marketing Myths That Keep You Poor

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 LinkedInDela Quist's WebsiteClarity Call with EmilyFree Resources:Strategic Planning Checklist&nbs...

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44:35

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30 October 2024

How to Successfully Navigate Executive Transitions and Leadership Changes

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 BlogLeveraging Leadership Episode 67Clarity Call with EmilyFree R...

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13:25

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28 October 2024

Managing Two Principals, CEO and COO: Mel Mathews Rejoins Former Company as Chief of Staff

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' WebsiteCla...

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32:35

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23 October 2024

Avoiding Time Waste: Practical Tips for Clearer Task Directives

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 EmilyFree Resources:Strategic Planning Checklist Chief of Staff Skills Assessment ChecklistA Day in the Life of a Chief of StaffChief of Staff ToolkitGet i...

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21 October 2024

Navigating Cybersecurity Risks: Planning Roadmaps and Contingency Planning

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 Websi...

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32:52