Leveraging Leadership

Emily Sander
  • 5.0 (25)
  • MANAGEMENT
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

Are you ready to up your leadership game? Tune in to Leveraging Leadership, where Chiefs of Staff, executives, and business professionals 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 and their Principals, the insights are useful for any leader aiming to grow.Don’t miss your chance to advance as a leader.

  1. 3D AGO

    Why Bringing Half-Baked Ideas to Your Boss Can Make You a Better Leader

    Emily Sander explains why bringing “half baked” work to your boss - especially when you're new in a Chief of Staff role - can save time, spark valuable conversations, and help you calibrate quickly to your boss’s preferences. She gives real examples, like saving hours by checking in early, learning what your boss fixates on, and understanding the order they want detailed information presented. The episode encourages trying iterative updates instead of holding out for perfection. Get in touch with Emily: Want to calibrate faster with your principal? Book a clarity call w/ Emily here.   Free Leadership Resources   LinkedIn Website Newsletter Who Am I? If we haven’t met 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: 00:25 The Half-Baked Idea: Why It's Beneficial 02:30 The Importance of Calibration Sessions 06:36 Understanding Your Boss's Fixations 10:43 Iterative Processes for Long-Term Success 11:12 Encouragement and Conclusion 12:29 Sponsor Message: Next Level Coaching

    13 min

  2. 5D AGO

    The CEO Perspective on Managing Chaos, Growth, and Building Strong Teams

    Chris Blauvelt shares his journey as a multi-time entrepreneur, how he hired his first Chief of Staff after learning about the role from House of Cards and leadership books, and why setting top three priorities every quarter changed his effectiveness as a CEO. He explains how his Chief of Staff tackled big challenges like product innovation, people operations, and compliance, even without previous experience in those areas. Chris also discusses bringing on a second Chief of Staff with a more technical background to focus on launching a new payments company. Links Mentioned: Chris’s mission-driven crowdfunding company Chris Blauvelt’s Twitter/X handle Connect with Chris Blauvelt on LinkedIn Get in touch with Emily: Want to chat with Emily? Book a quick clarity call here.   Free Leadership Resources   LinkedIn Website Newsletter   Who Am I? If we haven’t met 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: 01:20 Chris Vet's Journey and Achievements 03:26 The Role and Impact of a Chief of Staff 06:40 Hiring and Integrating a Chief of Staff 16:48 Taking Ownership and Delegation 18:23 Onboarding and Establishing Cadence 20:41 Hiring a New Chief of Staff 29:43 Mission and Vision of Launchgood

    33 min

  3. FEB 4

    Judgement vs Assessment: Creating a Positive and Productive Leadership Culture

    This episode lays out the difference between judgment and assessment at work, especially for leaders like the Chief of Staff. Emily shares real examples, from firing and hiring decisions to handling challenging team meeting behavior, showing how you can assess actions without judging someone's character. She explains how focusing on observable facts and assessments helps avoid negative assumptions, makes decisions easier, and benefits the whole team. Get in touch with Emily: Need help turning judgment into clear assessments? Book a clarity call w/ Emily here.   Free Leadership Resources   LinkedIn Website Newsletter   Who Am I? If we haven’t met 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: 00:25 Judgment vs. Assessment: Key Distinctions 03:14 Real-Life Examples of Judgment and Assessment 05:47 Observation vs. Assumption in Team Dynamics 09:24 Making Effective Leadership Decisions 13:06 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

    14 min

  4. FEB 2

    Running Better Meetings with Improv: Fix Wasteful Meetings and Team Disconnect

    Andrew Davies shares how his theater and improv background helps teams run better meetings and build trust. He explains practical improv games like “Breaking News” and “Speech” that boost listening and support. Andrew also talks about tailoring these activities for different teams and making meetings more engaging, interactive, and productive. Links Mentioned: Andrew Davies’ Organization Reach out to Andrew via email Get in touch with Emily: Want to chat with Emily? Book a quick clarity call here.   Free Leadership Resources   LinkedIn Website Newsletter   Who Am I? If we haven’t met 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: 02:30 Defining Improv and Its Impact 05:09 Improv in the Business World 07:56 Games to Enhance Team Collaboration 12:59 Building a Supportive Team Culture 18:25 The Essence of Improv: Collaboration Over Comedy 19:43 Improv for Introverts and Tech Teams 22:10 Improv and Perfectionism 24:58 The Benefits of Practicing Improv 27:30 The ABCs of Effective Meetings 29:07 The Importance of Movement and Engagement 31:18 Iterative Changes and Practical Applications

    38 min

  5. JAN 28

    Designing the SYSTEM for Achieving Your Goals (Part 3)

    Emily Sander explains how to set up systems that make it easier to stick to New Year's goals, like laying out workout clothes by the door or using food tracking apps with preloaded meals. She shares personal examples, including her efforts to improve sleep by using an OURA ring and building an evening routine, and gives tips on matching goal-setting approaches to your personality and the type of goal. The focus is on making the process work for you, so healthy habits and results come naturally. Get in touch with Emily: Want help building systems that actually support your goals? Book a clarity call w/ Emily here.   Free Leadership Resources LinkedIn Website Newsletter Who Am I? If we haven’t met 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 Building a System for Success 01:06 Knowing Yourself and Your Goals 03:00 Tactical Tips for Weight Loss 04:37 Tracking Progress and Adjusting Systems 07:19 Personal Example: Improving Sleep 13:58 Conclusion: Designing Systems for Inevitable Success

    15 min

  6. JAN 26

    Fitness, Finance, and Leadership: A Blueprint for Effective Chief of Staff Roles

    Jared Stein shares his unconventional path from running CrossFit and Orange Theory gyms to becoming a Chief of Staff at a virtual investment firm. He talks about managing operations, streamlining team roles, and implementing the Entrepreneurial Operating System (EOS). Jared also discusses how his firm helps clients with a deep financial “X-ray” to spot hidden overlaps in their investment portfolios. Links Mentioned: Company Website Email Jared Stein ​​Get in touch with Emily: Want to chat with Emily? Book a quick clarity call here.   Free Leadership Resources LinkedIn Website Newsletter Who Am I? If we haven’t met 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: 00:36 Jared's Unconventional Path to Chief of Staff 02:38 Challenges and Transitions During COVID 04:02 The Chief of Staff Opportunity 07:13 Interview Process and Personal Milestones 08:29 Joining Poterack Capital 15:46 Virtual Operations and Team Dynamics 18:12 Client Onboarding and Financial X-Ray 20:22 Understanding the Client Process 24:41 Implementing Organizational Discipline 26:45 Advice for Aspiring Chiefs of Staff 32:56 Final Thoughts and Contact Information

    35 min

  7. JAN 21

    Prioritizing Time, Energy, and Attention for Leadership Growth (Part 2)

    Emily Sander explains the "wheel of life" exercise, a tool to review different areas like career, relationships, community, hobbies, and physical or spiritual life. She gives examples of focusing on being a better parent, manager, or entrepreneur, and suggests honestly assessing where you're doing well and where you could improve. The episode encourages setting practical New Year's goals based on current priorities and where your energy is best spent. Get in touch with Emily: Want help assessing where you’re thriving and where to focus next? Book a clarity call w/ Emily here. Free Leadership Resources   LinkedIn Website Newsletter   Who Am I? If we haven’t met 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: 00:31 Understanding the Wheel of Life 01:26 Identifying Your Stakeholders 02:08 Self-Assessment and Goal Setting 03:09 Practical Steps to Improve 04:47 Balancing Different Life Areas 06:14 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

    7 min

  8. JAN 19

    How Municipal Leaders Foster Community Impact and Build Effective City Governance

    Nicholas Richard-Thompson shares his journey from creative intern to Deputy Chief of Staff for Aurora, Illinois, discussing the importance of building relationships, working with nonprofits, and navigating local government. He gives examples like coordinating lead line water replacement and partnering with organizations during COVID. The episode covers team structure, community advocacy, and practical tips for getting involved in local government. Links Mentioned: Here are several nonprofit organizations that Nicholas Richard-Thompson is involved with or supports: Community Foundation of the Fox River Valley Aurora Food Pantry Young Invincibles INDIVISIBLE AURORA (Aurora Mutual Aid) Get in touch with Emily: Want to chat with Emily? Book a quick clarity call here. Free Leadership Resources LinkedIn Website Newsletter   Who Am I? If we haven’t met 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: 01:43 Nick's Background and Career Path 04:27 Transition to Municipal Government 06:10 Community Engagement and Nonprofit Work 13:30 Role and Structure of the Mayor's Office 22:52 The Role of Lobbyists in Municipal Government 25:13 Local Advocacy and Community Impact 30:34 Nonprofit Collaboration with Municipal Government 36:30 Advice for Aspiring Chiefs of Staff and Engaged Citizens 44:03 Final Thoughts and Encouragement

    45 min
See All (254)

5
out of 5
25 Ratings

About

Are you ready to up your leadership game? Tune in to Leveraging Leadership, where Chiefs of Staff, executives, and business professionals 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 and their Principals, the insights are useful for any leader aiming to grow.Don’t miss your chance to advance as a leader.

Information

  • Creator
    Emily Sander
  • Years Active
    2023 - 2026
  • Episodes
    254
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Leveraging Leadership
  • Show Website
    Leveraging Leadership

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