Épisodes

  • How to Actually Be Happier at Work and Lead Like a Pro
    Jul 14 2025

    Andrew Matthews, bestselling author known for "Being Happy," shares how happiness starts with accepting your current situation and focusing on the good in any challenge—like when Thomas Edison watched his factory burn and still saw the silver lining. He explains that happy, resilient people create their own positive workplaces by being kind, not complaining, and supporting others. Andrew also offers practical tips for dealing with negative thoughts and discusses his latest book, "Bouncing Back."

    Links Mentioned:

    • Andrew Matthews’s latest book, Bouncing Back on Amazon
    • Andrew Matthews’s latest book, Bouncing Back on Audible
    • Andrew Matthew’s Website


    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 yet 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:

    01:30 Andrew's Journey to Writing
    02:39 Overcoming Rejections
    04:12 Creating Happiness at Work
    06:37 The Power of Perspective
    13:10 Self-Acceptance and Forgiveness
    20:10 The Importance of Resilience
    32:58 Daily Decisions for Happiness
    34:19 Happiness in Leadership
    34:44 Nick Faldo's Story
    37:31 Conclusion and Book Promotion

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    40 min
  • Listener Question: How to Lead Effective Conference Prep Without Doing All the Work Yourself
    Jul 9 2025

    A listener asks how to prep for a conference kickoff meeting without getting overwhelmed. Emily explains that a Chief of Staff shouldn't do all the work alone and suggests framing group discussions around key topics like conference themes, attendee info, and potential Q&A panel questions. She shares practical tips like getting input from team members and focusing on facilitating effective conversations instead of having every answer ready in advance.


    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 yet 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:

    01:08 The Role of a Chief of Staff: Clarifying Responsibilities
    01:55 Group Discussions: The Key to Effective Planning
    03:41 Framing the Conversation: A New Approach
    04:45 Logistics and Agenda Setting for Kickoff Meetings
    06:01 Gathering and Utilizing Background Information
    08:10 Final Thoughts: Shifting Mindsets and Effective Leadership

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    9 min
  • Force Multiplier Mindset: Maximizing Impact as an EA or Chief of Staff
    Jul 7 2025

    Hallie Warner talks about her journey from Executive Assistant to Chief of Staff, the differences between those roles, and how they work together in both small and large companies. She shares real situations, like launching a year-long leadership program with an EA handling logistics, and discusses common setups and struggles between these positions. Hallie also gives practical advice for EAs and Chiefs of Staff and recommends top books like "Fierce Conversations" and "Multipliers."

    Links Mentioned:

    • Contact Hallie Warner


    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 yet 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:

    01:21 Hallie's Background and Experience
    02:21 Force Multiplier: Concept and Company
    04:02 Chief of Staff vs. Executive Assistant
    05:42 Organizational Structures and Roles
    07:48 Factors Influencing EA and Chief of Staff Roles
    15:23 Collaboration Between EA and Chief of Staff
    22:37 Challenges and Solutions in EA and Chief of Staff Dynamics
    32:08 Misconceptions About EAs and Chiefs of Staff
    32:58 Advice for Aspiring Chiefs of Staff
    35:13 Conclusion and Book Recommendations

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    39 min
  • Nailing Curveball Interview Questions for Chief of Staff Jobs
    Jul 2 2025

    A listener preparing for final Chief of Staff interviews asks how to handle unexpected or tricky questions. Eric shares strategies like expecting curveballs, using them as a way to show problem-solving skills, and shifting interview conversations to a more natural tone. He gives examples such as reframing the question or asking for more details, and reminds listeners that not every question has a simple, right answer.


    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 yet 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:

    01:14 Expecting the Curve Ball
    01:58 Turning Challenges into Opportunities
    03:06 Shifting the Interview Tone
    04:46 Engaging in Natural Conversation
    06:59 Handling Complex Questions
    08:20 Recap and Final Advice

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    9 min
  • What It’s Really Like Being a Fractional COO or Chief of Staff
    Jun 30 2025

    Scott Adams shares how he went from working in pro sports and leading teams at Exos and Mayo Clinic to offering fractional COO and Chief of Staff services. He explains the difference between COO and Chief of Staff roles, how he helps companies realign strategy and improve efficiency, and why real listening is key to building trust. Scott also talks through how he approaches discovery calls, setting bold goals with clients, and why leaders should focus on small improvements that add up over time.

    Links Mentioned:

    • Scott Adams' Website
    • Connect with Scott Adam 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 yet 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:

    00:42 Scott Adams' Unique Career Path
    01:36 Launching Wellness Services and Scaling
    02:51 Founding Adams Consulting Firm
    03:48 Understanding Client Needs and Fit
    05:27 Scaling Companies and Growth Challenges
    10:01 COO vs. Chief of Staff Roles
    17:54 Balancing Multiple Engagements
    19:10 Value of Knowledge Over Time
    22:37 Building Relationships Across Multiple Companies
    24:06 Listening and Engaging with Teams
    26:19 Transitioning from Listening to Action
    29:12 Empowering Teams and Encouraging Self-Sufficiency
    31:39 The Role and Impact of a Fractional Chief of Staff
    37:26 Setting Ambitious Goals and Measuring Progress
    40:24 The Importance of Incremental Improvement
    41:57 Final Thoughts and Key Takeaways

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    43 min
  • Stop the Bottleneck: Keep Things Moving By Spreading Decisions Around
    Jun 25 2025

    This episode covers how bottlenecks form when every decision goes through the CEO and shows how a Chief of Staff can help move decision-making power to the leadership team and even frontline managers. Emily explains how shifting decisions after a reorg, giving authority to those closer to the information, and using a process of transitioning decisions from the CEO to others can speed things up. She also shares a real-life example about cruise ship captains making rerouting calls during a hurricane to show the power of putting decisions in the hands of those closest to the action.


    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 yet 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 Role of the Chief of Staff in Decision Distribution
    02:00 Empowering the Leadership Team
    04:22 Decentralizing Decisions to the Front Lines
    06:49 Case Study: Cruise Line Decision Making
    07:57 Creating an Effective Decision-Making System

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    9 min
  • Wearing All the Hats: The Reality of Gaps in Startup Teams
    Jun 23 2025

    Sabrina Dhaliwal shares her unique career path from a Financial Analyst at the Canadian Coast Guard to Chief of Staff and Product Marketing Manager at a tech startup. She talks about landing her current job through a networking coffee chat, jumping into unexpected roles like head of marketing, and why learning quickly is key for Chiefs of Staff in fast-paced environments. The episode also covers work-life balance, building an 18-month roadmap, and the importance of community engagement for startups.

    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 yet 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:

    00:29 PTO and Work-Life Balance
    01:53 Sabrina's Career Journey Begins
    02:58 Transition to Strategy Consulting
    04:15 Joining Remo Three
    05:30 Challenges and Adaptations in a Startup
    13:25 Evolving Role and Future Plans
    26:38 Advice for Aspiring Chiefs of Staff

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    30 min
  • Spotting Small Wins: Celebrate Consistency and Growth - Keys to Stronger Teams
    Jun 18 2025

    Chief of Staffs are reminded to celebrate both team and individual wins, especially during hectic times. Emily shares examples like acknowledging milestones in developing life-saving medical devices and recognizing a team member who overcame personal challenges. She suggests celebrating with small gestures, public recognition, or private notes, and emphasizes not to overlook consistent high performance.


    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 yet 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:

    01:21 The Importance of Reminding the Team of Their Purpose
    03:39 Recognizing Individual Achievements
    04:30 Consistent Performance and Final Thoughts

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    7 min