This episode breaks down how a Chief of Staff should shift from always asking permission to confidently informing others about next steps. Emily shares real examples, like updating a principal before or after launching a new workflow, and explains why this approach helps the executive team and boosts the Chief of Staff’s own confidence. The episode ends with the reminder that it’s all about finding the right balance between asking and informing.

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:

01:42 Mastering the Principal-Chief of Staff Relationship
06:01 Empowering the Executive Team
08:24 Balancing Asking and Informing: The Art of Leadership

Martin Dowling shares his journey from studying engineering and psychology in Germany and the US to becoming Chief of Staff at a manufacturing company in Munich. He talks about building trust as the new Chief of Staff, the value of tackling small wins like improving office cleanliness and streamlining software tasks, and why being a generalist helps him solve problems across different industries. Martin also explains the difference between the German executive assistant role and the Chief of Staff, and gives advice on choosing and succeeding in the Chief of Staff position.

Links Mentioned:

• Connect with Martin Dowling on LinkedIn
• AONA Light’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:

01:47 Career Beginnings and Shift to Psychology
03:02 Consulting and HR IT Solutions
06:48 Role as COO and Lighting Company
08:00 Challenges in Job Market and Chief of Staff Role
12:20 Responsibilities and Impact as Chief of Staff
19:28 Implementing Change and Overcoming Resistance
30:28 Advice for Aspiring Chiefs of Staff
40:06 Conclusion and Lighting Product Discussion

Emily answers a question from someone struggling to work with a new boss at a family-owned business who ignores process, oversells services, and doesn't value their input. She shares practical advice on "increment training"—giving the boss positive feedback for following the right process and building small wins over time. Emily tells her own story about working with a difficult, charismatic sales leader and highlights the importance of meeting halfway, using patience, and looking for ways to turn friction into teamwork.

Links Mentioned:

• Email Emily for your questions
• Message her 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 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:

01:11 Challenges with the New Boss
02:38 Possible Reasons for the Boss's Behavior
06:12 Training the Boss Incrementally
07:27 Personal Story: Handling a Similar Situation
13:53 Conclusion and Final Advice

Emily catches up with her old boss!

Amy Martin talks about her journey from 30 years in HR technology and customer-facing SaaS roles to becoming a career ownership coach. She shares stories about staying calm during high-pressure moments like client escalations and cybersecurity incidents, her empowering leadership style, and advice for those dealing with big changes, difficult personalities, or considering a career transition. Amy also explains how she helps clients gain clarity using tools like DISC profiles and personal SWOTs.

Links Mentioned:

• Amy Martin’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:

01:09 Amy's Career Background and Mentorship
05:43 Handling Pressure and Client Escalations
09:48 Dealing with Strong Personalities
12:54 Navigating Change and Mergers
17:43 Career Transitions and Coaching
22:01 Holistic Career Coaching Approach
24:16 Becoming a SCORE Mentor
27:37 Success Stories and Client Transformations
33:55 Personal Motivations for Career Change

This episode talks about how leaders can get the best results with the least amount of effort, instead of just working harder by default. Emily uses real examples like organizing a high-profile leadership retreat as a Chief of Staff and handling daily emails, showing how to focus only on what matters most and avoid burning out on unnecessary work. She encourages listeners to look for chances to do just enough to succeed, so they can use their time and energy wisely.

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:

01:37 The Pitfalls of Overworking
03:03 Strategic Leadership and Efficiency
05:26 Practical Examples and Takeaways

Jordan Burton talks about his work as an executive assessor and trainer, helping companies and investors improve their hiring process from defining roles to interviewing candidates. He explains why it's important to clarify what a business really needs in a new hire, how to run effective interviews, and why panels aren't always the best approach. Real examples include deciding if you need a CFO or just a controller, getting input from different stakeholders, and tips for reaching out to passive candidates through networking.

Links Mentioned:

• Interview Training Resources 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:

02:31 Defining the Right Role
08:04 Networking for Top Talent
12:37 Communicating Technical Knowledge
16:57 Approaching Potential Candidates
20:32 Conducting Authentic Interviews
23:18 Effective Interview Conversations
27:23 Panel Interviews: Pros and Cons
32:41 Final Stages and Decision Making
36:19 Behavioral Assessments in Hiring
37:58 Talgo's Approach to Interview Training

Emily 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 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:

01:02 Effective Communication Strategies for Chiefs of Staff
02:52 Mediating and Facilitating Better Understanding
06:01 Investing in Workplace Relationships

Melissa Yap shares her journey to becoming Chief of Staff at Deloitte, highlighting the shift from client-facing roles to internal strategic leadership. She discusses the challenges of embracing a less visible role and the unique perspective it offers, such as connecting diverse teams and driving strategic initiatives. Melissa explains how her experience in consulting and her proactive approach to connecting with other Chiefs of Staff globally enrich her current role.

Links Mentioned:

• Mel Yap’s LinkedIn Article: Demystifying the Chief of Staff Role

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:

00:58 Melissa's Journey to Chief of Staff
02:46 Early Challenges and Personal Growth
07:30 Deloitte's Global Structure
09:53 Connecting with Other Chiefs of Staff
13:55 Operational and Strategic Responsibilities
17:43 Prioritizing Strategic Initiatives
24:50 Writing the LinkedIn Article
28:41 Reflections on the Chief of Staff Role
34:36 Advice for Chiefs of Staff and Principals