Leveraging Leadership
von Emily Sander
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You Don’t Need to Master AI. You Need Decision-Grade Fluency
You Don’t Need to Master AI. You Need Decision-Grade Fluency
Über diesen Podcast
Leadership is messy. Most advice isn't built for the reality of competing priorities, difficult stakeholders, limited time, and imperfect information.
Leveraging Leadership is a practical leadership podcast for Chiefs of Staff, executives, founders, and senior operators who want to lead more effectively and navigate complexity with confidence.
Hosted by Emily Sander, former Chief of Staff and executive advisor, each episode delivers real-world lessons, practical frameworks, and candid conversations with leaders across business and beyond.
Topics include executive communication, leadership presence, decision-making, delegation, organizational influence, operating rhythms, team effectiveness, and the often-unspoken challenges leaders face behind the scenes.
If you're looking for thoughtful conversations, practical takeaways, and leadership advice you can actually use on Monday morning, you're in the right place.
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- You Don’t Need to Master AI. You Need Decision-Grade Fluency · 49 Min. · Staffel 1 Folge 404Diane Sadowski-Joseph, co-founder of Clarinet, joins me to talk about what it actually means for a company - and its leaders - to become AI-enabled. We start with the…
- Why Big Ideas Die Inside Good Organizations · 38 Min. · Staffel 1 Folge 403Terry Young, author of Possibility Sciences: A Discipline for Turning Bold Ideas Into Reality, joins me to talk about why bold ideas so often die before they ever make it into…
- How PE-Backed Companies Turn Strategy Into Results · 41 Min. · Staffel 1 Folge 402Private equity firms invest with a value creation plan. But the strategy on the slide deck only matters if the company can actually execute it. Brea Page, founder of Keep75 and a…
- Executive Presence Is Range, Not a Persona · 43 Min. · Staffel 1 Folge 401Executive presence isn't a checklist of confident behaviors, and it isn't a persona you put on when you reach the C-suite. Jacque McCormack, co-founder of JetStream Advisors and…
- From Safe Bets to Breakthroughs: Building a Balanced Innovation Portfolio · 40 Min. · Staffel 1 Folge 400Noel Sobelman explains innovation portfolio management and how companies can bridge the gap between strategy and execution. He shares a medical device company example where…
- Freedom from Mental Captivity: Insights on Mediation and Workplace Communication · 40 Min. · Staffel 1 Folge 309Stan Lewis, a former OSHA investigator and mediator, explains how most workplace whistleblower cases come down to communication issues and how managers can prevent problems by…
- Persuasion Versus Manipulation: Ethical Leadership and Building Trust Across Teams · 43 Min. · Staffel 1 Folge 308JonRobert Tartaglione shares how to lead through influence without direct authority, drawing on his background in psychology and examples like political polarization and message…
- Speak Like a Pro: Boost Your Confidence with Tactical Leadership Drills · 31 Min. · Staffel 1 Folge 307Emily Sander shares three simple exercises to help anyone sound more confident in meetings, interviews, and presentations. She walks through the "expert game," explaining how to…
- Standards Over Stress: How Self-Leadership Heals Burnout and Brings Fulfillment · 38 Min. · Staffel 1 Folge 306Bobby Shelton shares his journey from chasing external accomplishments to finding real satisfaction through self-leadership, including losing 180 pounds and shifting his focus…
- Q&A: How to Lead a New Team Without Letting Your Old One Down · 24 Min.Emily Sander answers a listener question from Megan, who just got promoted and is transitioning between teams. She gives advice on setting up the old team for success, like…
- Growing Vocal Authority: Insights for Executives from an Accent Coach · 51 Min.Emily Sander talks with Jay Poulton, founder of The Accent Coach, about how senior leaders can use their voice more effectively. They discuss practical tips like breath control…
- Three Powerful Checkpoint Questions to Level Up Your Leadership · 13 Min. · Staffel 1 Folge 303Emily Sander talks about setting up personal checkpoints to track growth and avoid getting stuck. She shares three practical questions she asks herself every other week: Where am…
- Wearable Mindfulness: The Ring Revolutionizing Leader Wellbeing · 39 Min. · Staffel 1 Folge 302Johan Matton, creator of the Pulse Mindfulness Ring, talks about his journey from filmmaking to building a wearable that helps people take mindful pauses throughout the day using…
- Perfection Is an Illusion: Tips for Giving Better Answers in Meetings · 14 Min. · Staffel 1 Folge 301Emily Sander talks about the pressure to give perfect or "right" answers in interviews and meetings, shares examples like people panicking or rambling, and explains why aiming…
- Trust and Impact: Ethical Influence and Authentic Leadership in Business · 39 Min. · Staffel 1 Folge 300Judith Germain explains her Maverick Leadership philosophy, focusing on trust, influence, and leading through uncertainty during reorganizations. She shares practical tips for…
- Rethinking How Can I Make Your Life Easier in the Chief of Staff Role · 14 Min.Emily Sander shares feedback from a listener who disagreed with her advice to ask, "How can I make your life easier?" as a new Chief of Staff. The listener argued this question…
- Beyond IQ and EQ: Exploring PQ for Competitive Advantage in Business Leadership · 44 Min. · Staffel 1 Folge 298Rohit Bassi shares how his transition from consulting at McKinsey led him into a Chief of Staff role at a major PE-backed company, exposing him to real-world operations, M&A, and…
- Consultants as Chiefs of Staff: Using Big Picture Thinking for Real Results · 14 Min. · Staffel 1 Folge 297Emily Sander talks about how consultants who become Chief of Staff often excel at big-picture thinking and mapping companywide projects, but tend to get stuck over-analyzing…
- Building Organizational Culture Amidst Transitions and Layoffs · 40 Min. · Staffel 1 Folge 296Emily Sander talks with Yorm Ackuaku about building visibility as a Chief of Staff, especially in marketing-led organizations like Vista and Weight Watchers. Yorm shares…
- Practical Communication: Delivering Your Message With the Bottom-Line Approach · 8 Min. · Staffel 1 Folge 295Emily Sander shares a practical tip for communicating with busy executives: start with the bottom line first, then give a little necessary context, and invite questions if…
- The Principal’s Perspective: How Chiefs of Staff Shape Organizational Impact · 32 Min. · Staffel 1 Folge 294Executives and Chiefs of Staff share practical stories about how the Chief of Staff role shapes company culture, trust, and growth. Tim Moore explains how his Chief of Staff acts…
- Q&A: Balancing AI Adoption and Quality Leadership Strategies for a Maturing Tech Team · 14 Min. · Staffel 1 Folge 293Emily Sander answers a listener’s question about moving a tech company to AI-first, highlighting challenges when people use AI excessively or without checks. She shares practical…
- Boost Your Presentation Presence With This Simple Technique · 23 Min. · Staffel 1 Folge 292Emily Sander shares a simple trick to boost energy and engagement in presentations: think about something you love, like movies, then bring that same excitement to your business…
- The Chief of Staff Role Through the Eyes of Principals · 41 Min. · Staffel 1 Folge 291This episode breaks down what a Chief of Staff actually does in different industries, from startups to government, and covers how the role is changing with AI according to Scott…
- Practical Ways Leaders Can Release Guilt and Move Forward · 10 Min. · Staffel 1 Folge 290Emily Sander talks about how Chiefs of Staff often feel guilty or frustrated about things like not working long enough hours or not helping a struggling teammate. She explains…
- Weaving People First Leadership and Business Demands in the Chief of Staff Role · 37 Min. · Staffel 1 Folge 289Emily Sander talks with Lindsey Gardner, a multi-time Chief of Staff and co-founder of Sapphire Chief of Staff, about balancing people and business priorities. Lindsey Gardner…
- Q&A: Turning Board Back Channels into Your Strategic Leverage · 19 Min. · Staffel 1 Folge 288Emily Sander answers a listener question from Sarah in Charlotte, a Chief of Staff handling board governance, leadership meetings, and benefits rollout. The episode covers how to…
- Real Stories from Leaders on Chiefs of Staff Relationships · 36 Min. · Staffel 1 Folge 287This compilation features conversations with four principals about why they brought on a Chief of Staff, how they built trust in the role, and the impact Chiefs of Staff had on…
- How to Show Up as the Leader You Want to Be · 24 Min. · Staffel 1 Folge 286Emily Sander shares why showing up as an unhurried, intentional leader matters more than always hustling. She gives practical tips like taking walks, working out, or even sipping…
- Driving Fast-Paced Change from Private Sector to Public Innovation · 38 Min. · Staffel 1 Folge 285Emily Sander talks with Lindsay McCleary about her journey from project management to Chief of Staff roles in both the private sector at Binc and the public sector for the City…
- Optimizing Knowledge Management: Ensuring Information Flows Freely Through Your Organization · 17 Min. · Staffel 1 Folge 284Knowledge management is explained as making sure important information flows up, down, and across an organization, using direct examples like leadership decisions being shared…
- Practical Strategies for Post-Crisis Recovery and Team Performance · 38 Min. · Staffel 1 Folge 283Savio P. Clemente, a two-time cancer survivor, shares how his experiences shaped his adaptive resilience leadership framework and gives practical advice for avoiding burnout and…
- Making Progress in Interim Periods: Focusing on What Has to Happen Anyway · 15 Min. · Staffel 1 Folge 282This episode shares practical ways to handle uncertain times at work by focusing on the tasks that need to get done no matter what. Emily Sander gives real examples, like mapping…
- Exploring Diplomacy, Foreign Affairs, and Disability Rights from a Chief of Staff at the State Department · 60 Min. · Staffel 1 Folge 281Andrea Cilliers shares her journey from joining the Department of Defense through a disability internship to becoming Chief of Staff for the U.S. Special Advisor on International…
- How to Use Skill-Based Assessments for Effective Hiring Decisions · 16 Min. · Staffel 1 Folge 280The episode breaks down how skill-based assessments can help make better hiring decisions, whether you’re hiring for an entry-level analyst, a digital marketing specialist, or a…
- Chief of Staff Careers: Launching Pad, Capstone, or Both? · 35 Min. · Staffel 1 Folge 279Emily Sander talks with Keosha Lucas about whether the Chief of Staff role is a career destination or a stepping stone. Keosha shares her path from Lyft, where she did Chief of…
- Handling Unfamiliar Acronyms Without Feeling Embarrassed · 23 Min. · Staffel 1 Folge 278The episode looks at jargon and acronyms in the workplace, using examples like ARR (annual rate of return) and CPA (cost per acquisition or certified public accountant), and…
- Exploring Feedback and Emotional Intelligence for Thriving Workplace Cultures · 36 Min. · Staffel 1 Folge 277Emily Sander talks with Maren Perry, founder and CEO of Arden Coaching, about what HR really does beyond paperwork, why leadership development should start early, and the habits…
- Q&A: Practical Ways Chiefs of Staff Can Collaborate Laterally · 18 Min. · Staffel 1 Folge 276The conversation focuses on practical ways a Chief of Staff can work with peers across departments, like finding small ways to make someone’s workflow easier or kicking off…
- The Intersection of Sports Psychology, Mindfulness, and Effective Leadership · 47 Min. · Staffel 1 Folge 275Emily talks with performance coach Benjamin Smith about using sports psychology and mindfulness for better leadership. They cover tools like visualization, breathwork, and…
- Q&A: Overcoming the Overqualified Hurdle as a Former Business Owner Seeking a New Role · 13 Min. · Staffel 1 Folge 274Emily answers a listener named Dallas, a longtime tree company owner, who’s struggling to get traction applying for Chief of Staff roles after his business closed. She talks…
- From White House to Venture Capital: Leadership and Chief of Staff Insights · 38 Min. · Staffel 1 Folge 273Veer Sawhney talks about his transition from working as a personal aide at the White House to becoming Chief of Staff at an investment firm. He shares how skills like…
- How New Chiefs of Staff Can Build Ongoing Relationships with Leadership Teams · 11 Min. · Staffel 1 Folge 272Tips for keeping conversations going as Chief of Staff, like following up after a listening tour and spotting ways to help teammates. Examples include offering to QA an automated…
- The BOLD Framework for Leaders: Outlast Adversity and Disrupt the Norm · 46 Min. · Staffel 1 Folge 271Audley Stephenson shares his journey from basketball fan to podcast host and sports league commissioner, highlighting how audacity shaped his life and career. He explains the…
- Practical Strategies for Building a Culture of Feedback in Your Team · 25 Min. · Staffel 1 Folge 270Learn practical ways to build a culture of feedback at work, whether your team is new to honest conversations or already open to input. Emily Sander shares examples like using…
- Leadership Lessons From Portugal: Managing Two Principals and Dual Roles (HR and CoS) · 37 Min. · Staffel 1 Folge 269Maria Paiva shares her path from chemical engineering to a blended Chief of Staff and HR role at a small Portuguese company, explaining how her job covers everything from people…
- Taking Time to Value the People Around You at Work · 14 Min. · Staffel 1 Folge 268Emily Sander talks about appreciating the people you work with during each season of your career - like learning from Jamie, being challenged to grow by a boss like Rohit, or…
- Building Credibility and Clarity in Moments of Uncertainty · 46 Min. · Staffel 1 Folge 267Chief of Staff and crisis communication expert Jeff Evans shares lessons from working in the California legislature, discussing the importance of building relationships across…
- Why “How Can I Help You?” Is a Dangerous Question for Chiefs of Staff · 9 Min. · Staffel 1 Folge 266This episode explains why Chiefs of Staff should avoid asking "How can I help you?" and instead focus on what will move the needle for their principal and team. Emily Sander…
- Lessons from the Role of Chief of Staff and CAO · 40 Min. · Staffel 1 Folge 265Nick McDonough talks about his path from manufacturing and M&A to becoming Chief of Staff and later Chief Administrative Officer at the healthcare startup QuikMedic. He shares…
