Second in Command: The Chief Behind the Chief Second in Command: The Chief Behind the Chief

In today's episode of the Second in Command podcast, Cameron is joined by Peter Schmied, the President of Appspace, as they discuss the challenges and strategies of leading a company during the COVID-19 pandemic. With a workforce of around 450 employees globally, Appspace operates in a fully hybrid model, allowing employees the choice to work from home or in the office. Peter emphasizes the importance of a seamless communication experience, leveraging technology to tailor information delivery based on individual preferences and usage patterns.
Peter shares insights into building a world-class company culture in a remote or hybrid work environment, highlighting the significance of community and seamless communication. He discusses the company's focus on customer-centricity, actively listening to customers, and staying ahead of market trends to drive product development. Peter's leadership approach centers on servant leadership, continuous learning, and embracing discomfort to foster personal growth.
The conversation explores leadership strategies, including hiring senior roles and managing internal talent aspirations. Peter emphasizes transparency in the hiring process, opening up internal opportunities before considering external candidates. He advocates for a culture that encourages failure as a pathway to growth and success, emphasizing the importance of attitude, aptitude, and empathy in leadership. Overall, Peter's leadership philosophy revolves around serving the team, fostering a culture of curiosity, and treating people with respect and transparency.

Enjoy!


In This Episode You'll Learn:
Why Appspace makes use of a hybrid model, allowing employees the choice to work from home or in the office, and the importance of providing options for a diverse, geographically dispersed workforce. (8:24)The importance of community and seamless communication in building a world-class company culture, especially in a remote or hybrid work environment. (9:56)Why Appspace focuses on being customer-centric, actively listening to customers and staying ahead of market trends to drive product development. (21:23)Peter's leadership approach, centering on servant leadership, serving the team and fostering personal growth among employees. (23:26)Appspace's transparent hiring practices, opening up internal opportunities before considering external candidates for senior roles. (24:56)Why Peter believes embracing failure is a pathway to growth and success, the importance of taking on challenges and learning from setbacks. (28:53)Why Peter's leadership philosophy is built on continuous learning and curiosity, as well as the importance of staying curious and learning something new every day. (28:53)Peter's guide to path to success, including having the right attitude, aptitude, and treating people with empathy and respect. (29:51)And much more...

Resources:
Connect with Peter: Website | LinkedIn
Connect with Cameron: Website | LinkedIn
Get Cameron’s latest book “Meetings Suck: Turning One of The Most Loathed Elements of Business into One of the Most...

In today's episode of the Second in Command podcast, Cameron discusses the unconventional journey from COO to CEO, emphasizing that a mere fraction, possibly 5% of COOs, possess the entrepreneurial spirit necessary for transitioning into CEO roles. Highlighting his own path as a serial entrepreneur from a young age, Cameron outlines the unique experiences that shaped his capabilities to scale businesses effectively. His tenure at various entrepreneurial ventures, including a significant role at College Pro Painters and as COO at 1-800-GOT-JUNK?, demonstrates the critical interplay between entrepreneurial instinct and the disciplined application of systems and processes for business growth. This backdrop sets the stage for understanding the nuanced leadership dynamics in fast-growing companies.
The conversation explores the specific challenges and mental shifts required for COOs aspiring to CEO positions. Cameron draws an analogy to blue and pink jobs to illustrate the necessity for COOs to delegate traditional operational tasks and adopt roles that may initially seem unfamiliar or trivial. This transition, according to Cameron, is crucial for scaling operations and necessitates a focus on vision, culture, and strategic leadership rather than the minutiae of day-to-day operations. The conversation touches on the importance of CEOs asking the right leadership questions that drive system improvements and strategic oversight, rather than getting bogged down in operational details. This shift in perspective is essential for nurturing a conducive environment for business growth and innovation.
Cameron also imparts a resonant message about the essence of leadership and the fundamental goal of any business venture. He asserts that beyond the operational excellence and strategic foresight, genuine care for the well-being of employees is paramount. By prioritizing the human element and showing authentic concern for employees' lives beyond their work roles, leaders can inspire unwavering loyalty and commitment. This, Cameron believes, is the ultimate key to building successful and resilient organizations. The episode closes with a reminder of the transience of business achievements compared to the lasting impact leaders can have on the lives of those they work with.
Enjoy!


In This Episode You'll Learn:
The rarity of COOs transitioning into CEO roles, noting that only a small percentage have the entrepreneurial DNA to do so. (0:59)Cameron's journey of entrepreneurship from a young age and how this shaped his success in various leadership roles, emphasizing the value of entrepreneurial thinking and systems in scaling businesses. (3:42)The necessity for leaders, especially those transitioning from COO to CEO, to delegate traditional tasks and focus on roles that drive company culture and vision. (5:29)The importance of CEOs asking the right leadership questions to ensure systemic efficiency and prevent operational pitfalls. (9:56)Why CEOs should limit their direct reports and focus primarily on vision, culture, and strategic trends. (11:39)Why genuinely caring for employees' well-being is what ultimately builds a successful company. (12:27)And much more...

Resources:
Connect with Cameron: Website | LinkedIn
Get Cameron’s latest book “Meetings Suck: Turning One of The

In today's episode of the Second in Command podcast, Cameron is joined by Dan Alia, COO of The Speaker Lab and COO Alliance member, exploring his journey from corporate roles to entrepreneurial ventures. Dan discusses the transition from managing large teams in Fortune 500 companies to leading in a 100% virtual, communication-centric environment. He emphasizes the importance of intentional culture-building in remote settings, highlighting his company's focus on work-life balance and leading by example. Dan also shares insights on scaling a business beyond a single revenue stream, discussing strategies like acquisitions and expanding service offerings to support speakers.
The conversation explores Dan's leadership evolution, from building a foundation to delegating responsibilities and empowering leaders within the organization. He discusses the challenges of hiring specialists and experts while ensuring existing team members feel valued and supported. Dan reflects on the importance of continuous learning and adaptation, citing his experience in HR management as an example of recognizing the need for specialized roles to drive organizational growth. Through his journey, Dan embodies a philosophy of embracing challenges as learning opportunities and constantly evolving to meet the demands of a changing business landscape.
Dan's insights offer a valuable perspective on leadership, culture, and growth in the modern business world. His journey underscores the importance of adaptability and proactive decision-making in navigating the complexities of scaling a business. By prioritizing culture, empowering team members, and embracing new opportunities, Dan exemplifies a leadership approach that fosters growth, innovation, and long-term success.
Enjoy!

In This Episode You'll Learn:
How to foster a strong culture in a 100% virtual company, emphasizing effective communication and creating a sense of community. (15:48)The importance of evolving leadership skills, from reactive learning to proactive strategy development, and the value of empowering leaders to empower their teams. (28:37)Strategies for scaling a business, such as diversifying revenue streams through acquisitions, expanding service offerings, and focusing on delivering more value to customers. (27:03)The challenges of hiring senior specialists and experts while maintaining a cohesive team, and how to communicate the value of new hires to existing team members. (35:14)The importance of optimizing processes and automation before resorting to hiring more people, and how to quantify the impact of new hires on revenue and growth. (37:31)Dan's philosophy of viewing challenges as opportunities for growth, and how to extract valuable lessons from every experience to drive personal and professional development. (40:59)And much more...

Resources:
Connect with Dan: Website | LinkedIn
Connect with Cameron: Website | LinkedIn
Get Cameron’s latest book “Meetings Suck: Turning One of The Most Loathed Elements of Business into One of the Most Valuable”
Get Cameron’s online course – a href="https://investinyourleaders.com/" rel="noopener...

In today's episode of the Second in Command podcast, Cameron emphasizes the crucial role of leveraging AI in today's business operations and marketing strategies to ensure growth and profitability. He highlights that the risk of losing jobs to AI mainly falls on those who fail to integrate AI into their current roles. Drawing from his experience with a significant loss in company valuation during the internet bubble, Cameron underscores the importance of building real businesses with sustainable models. He recounts the stark transition from a $64 million valuation to just $3 million due to market crash, illustrating the volatility of relying on inflated valuations without underlying profitability.
Further discussing the parallels between the early internet era and the current AI surge, Cameron suggests that while we might be on the brink of another bubble, there is a significant opportunity for companies and individuals who adeptly utilize AI to enhance their operations. He advocates for a culture of AI experimentation within companies, encouraging employees to explore AI tools to find innovative applications in their work. Additionally, Cameron touches on the evolving role of COOs in leveraging networks and communities for knowledge sharing and collaboration, particularly in leveraging technology and global talent. This, he argues, is key to navigating the complexities of modern business environments, where learning from diverse industries and integrating AI effectively could set the foundation for future success.
Enjoy!

In This Episode You'll Learn:
The importance of integrating AI into business operations and marketing to drive profitability and growth. (0:00)Why moving beyond speculative valuation towards building businesses with actual profitability and sustainable models is critical. (0:51)The potential of AI to revolutionize business practices in a manner similar to the early internet. (2:18)Why businesses should allow employees to experiment with AI, integrating new tools into their workflows for efficiency and innovation. (2:36)The evolution of hiring practices, moving from local to global talent pools, enhancing diversity and capability in business operations. (4:39)How leadership roles, especially COOs, will evolve with the increasing integration of AI and global collaboration. (5:07)And much more...


Resources:
Connect with Cameron: Website | LinkedIn
Get Cameron’s latest book “Meetings Suck: Turning One of The Most Loathed Elements of Business into One of the Most Valuable”
Get Cameron’s online course – Invest In Your Leaders
Mentioned in this episode:
COO Group Midroll
COO Alliance PREROLL

In today's episode of the Second in Command podcast, Cameron is joined by Lydia Kothmeier, the VP of Operations at Storyblok, discussing the company's journey from eight to 230 employees in four years. Despite the challenges of global expansion, remote work, and cultural differences in business practices, Storyblok has thrived. Lydia emphasizes the importance of clear communication, documentation, and building a strong team culture, especially in a fully remote setting.
Lydia shares her strategies for managing a rapidly growing team, including limiting direct reports to eight people to ensure effective leadership. She emphasizes the value of feedback loops and giving team members autonomy to solve problems, believing that micromanaging stifles growth. Lydia also discusses the personal growth she has experienced, from learning new skills like information security to managing the complexities of a global business.
In managing work-life balance, Lydia stresses the importance of disconnecting from work and spending time outdoors or engaging in sports. She also reflects on her early career, advising her younger self to delegate tasks earlier and accept that decisions must often be made with imperfect information. Overall, this episode provides valuable insights into scaling a company, managing remote teams, and personal growth as a leader.

Enjoy!


In This Episode You'll Learn:
Why Storyblok leveraged an accelerator program in London to network with VCs and experts, and the importance of building a strong support network and utilizing resources for remote team success. (10:41)The challenges of navigating different tax laws and regulations across various countries, emphasizing the need for a solid finance team and trusted partners when expanding globally. (13:06)The importance of adaptability and self-management skills in a rapidly growing company. (18:37)The value of feedback loops in helping team members grow, showcasing how micromanaging can hinder development, encouraging leaders to trust their teams and give them space to innovate. (28:39)Lydia's approach to maintaining work-life balance, the importance of disconnecting from work and engaging in activities outside of the office to recharge and stay healthy. (30:05)And much more...


Resources:
Connect with Lydia: Website | LinkedIn
Connect with Cameron: Website | LinkedIn
Get Cameron’s latest book “Meetings Suck: Turning One of The Most Loathed Elements of Business into One of the Most Valuable”
Get Cameron’s online course – Invest In Your Leaders
Mentioned in this episode:
COO Alliance PREROLL
COO Group Midroll

In today's episode of the Second in Command podcast, Cameron underscores the distinct yet complementary roles of CEOs and COOs, drawing parallels to the classic analogy of 'Men are from Mars, Women are from Venus'. He emphasizes the importance of understanding and embracing these differences to foster effective communication and collaboration between visionary leaders and integrators. Cameron, referencing his friendship with Gino Wickman, the author of "Traction" and creator of the Entrepreneurial Operating System (EOS), illustrates how recognizing and leveraging the unique strengths of each role can lead to unparalleled organizational synergy and efficiency.
Expanding on the evolution of the COO role, Cameron explores the nuanced understanding required to match a COO's skills and personality with the specific needs of the entrepreneur and the current stage of the business. He likens the selection process to choosing a life partner, highlighting the importance of compatibility beyond mere experience or job title. This approach underscores a broader trend in leadership thinking, where the one-size-fits-all mentality is being abandoned in favor of a more tailored, strategic alignment between leaders and their roles within the organization's unique context.
The discussion then shifts towards the overarching challenges and opportunities facing tech CEOs, stressing the need for adaptability and learning across different industries. Cameron suggests that the tech sector, known for its focus on growth and innovation, could benefit from a more grounded approach to business management, highlighting profitability and sustainable growth. By drawing on insights from a variety of industries and leadership styles, tech leaders can enrich their strategies with a more balanced view of success, blending innovation with the fundamentals of sound business practices. This nuanced perspective invites tech CEOs to rethink their approach to leadership in the rapidly evolving business landscape.
Enjoy!


In This Episode You'll Learn:
The crucial differences between CEOs and COOs in perspective and approach to business, emphasizing the need for effective communication and collaboration.  (1:00)The importance of adapting communication styles to suit different roles within the organization, particularly between visionary leaders and operational managers. (2:44)The changing dynamics of the COO role, stressing the importance of alignment between a COO's skills, personality, and the specific needs and stage of the business. (3:07)The key role of COOs in leading not just their direct reports but also other leaders within the organization, emphasizing skills in managing conflict, communication, and resources. (5:39)The unique characteristics and challenges of leadership within the tech industry, including the need for profitability and sustainable business practices. (6:44)And much more...

Resources:
Connect with Cameron: Website | LinkedIn
Get Cameron’s latest book “Meetings Suck: Turning One of The Most Loathed Elements of Business into One of the Most Valuable”
Get Cameron’s online course – Invest In Your Leaders
Mentioned in this episode:
COO Alliance...