Leveraging Leadership

Emily Sander
  • 5.0 (27)
  • Management
  • Updated Weekly

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.

  1. 19h ago

    Persuasion Versus Manipulation: Ethical Leadership and Building Trust Across Teams

    JonRobert Tartaglione shares how to lead through influence without direct authority, drawing on his background in psychology and examples like political polarization and message framing. He explains why Chiefs of Staff need to use persuasive, not just expressive, communication and offers practical tips, such as using diagnostic questions, hedging language, and leveraging social norms in organizations. The conversation covers what actually works to change minds, why logic alone is rarely enough, and how to avoid manipulation or coercion. Links Mentioned: Influence51 Website Connect with JohnRobert 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: 01:14 Academic Journey and Psychology 03:26 Political Psychology and Polarization 06:55 Strategic Communication Modes 14:50 Persuasion vs Manipulation 20:55 Illusion of Explanatory Depth 23:52 The Art of Listening 27:59 Expressive vs Persuasive Communication 32:20 Loss Aversion in Business 38:31 Social Norms and Behavior

  2. 5d ago

    Speak Like a Pro: Boost Your Confidence with Tactical Leadership Drills

    Emily 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 act like the world’s leading authority on random topics like Flashdance or koala bear feeding habits. The episode includes practical tips like recording yourself, using variety in your voice, and practicing for just 30 seconds a day. Get in touch with Emily: Want to sound more confident? 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: 01:18 Exercise One Expert Game 03:07 Expert Game Examples 09:02 Exercise Two Three Things 13:37 Range and Emotion Variations 17:03 Exercise Three Five Things 20:02 Daily Practice Habit 22:57 Record and Refine Voice 26:44 Pick the Right Moment 27:46 Results and Final Wrap

  3. Aug 17

    Standards Over Stress: How Self-Leadership Heals Burnout and Brings Fulfillment

    Bobby Shelton shares his journey from chasing external accomplishments to finding real satisfaction through self-leadership, including losing 180 pounds and shifting his focus after reaching personal low points. The conversation covers the difference between "easy-hard" (doing things for others' approval) and "hard-hard" (pursuing what matters to you), and offers advice on setting simple, personal standards, like refusing to eat M&M's, to build discipline. The discussion also touches on faith, burnout, and how to align your inner life with your work as a founder, CEO, or Chief of Staff. Links Mentioned: Bobby Shelton’s Website Bobby Shelton’s Book The Self-Leadership Lab Podcast 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: 01:06 Easy Hard vs Hard Hard 02:34 Losing Yourself to Find Yourself 05:08 Burnout and External Validation 07:58 Finding Alignment and Purpose 11:59 Mirror Moment and Commitment 14:30 Purpose and Daily Standards 17:18 Build Standards One Step 20:31 Faith Philosophy and Selfless Leadership 34:56 Redefining Success and Closing

  4. Aug 12

    Q&A: How to Lead a New Team Without Letting Your Old One Down

    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 handing off tasks to a "go-to" person and clearly communicating that change to everyone. Emily also suggests doing a listening tour with the new team to learn from their experience and explains the importance of being confident, having a plan, and not expecting everything to go perfectly. Get in touch with Emily: Ready to make your next leadership move with confidence? 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: 01:47 Reset After Limbo 03:09 Hand Off to Jim 04:52 Set Clear Boundaries 07:09 Align with Both Bosses 09:58 Lead the New Team 12:55 30 Day Listening Tour 16:25 Set Expectations and Culture 19:04 Reinvent Your Leadership 21:35 Bumps Are Normal 22:46 Congrats and Wrap Up

  5. Aug 10

    Growing Vocal Authority: Insights for Executives from an Accent Coach

    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, vocal variety, and recording yourself to close the “authority gap,” and share examples of issues such as vocal fry, upturning at the end of sentences, and monotone delivery that impact credibility. Jay Poulton explains specific exercises and the importance of practicing your delivery out loud to sound more confident and authentic. Links Mentioned: Jay Poulton’s Website Connect with Jay Poulton on LinkedIn Follow Jay the Accent Coach on Instagram Follow the Accent Coach on Facebook Follow the Accent Coach on Tiktok Subscribe to the Accent Coach on YouTube 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: 01:08 Origin Story in Accents 02:30 Voice as an Instrument 04:00 Closing the Authority Gap 10:46 Variety Resonance and Framing 25:13 Practice Out Loud 27:13 Authenticity Over Performance 29:40 Presence And Emotion 32:40 Find Your Resonant Range 38:12 Pause Articulate Improve

  6. Aug 6

    Three Powerful Checkpoint Questions to Level Up Your Leadership

    Emily 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 I getting in my own way? What's a middle way? Who can help with that? She suggests different ways to do these check-ins, like journaling or using sticky notes. Get in touch with Emily: Want help creating meaningful checkpoints for your growth? Book a quick 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 Setting Up Important Checkpoints 01:18 Three Questions for Self-Reflection 02:31 Question One: Getting in Your Own Way 03:28 Question Two: Finding a Middle Way 05:22 Question Three: Who Can Help 08:19 Recap of the Three Questions 08:44 Finding Your Checkpoint Method 12:39 Closing Thoughts and Wrap Up

  7. Aug 3

    Wearable Mindfulness: The Ring Revolutionizing Leader Wellbeing

    Johan 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 quiet haptic vibrations instead of apps or data tracking. Emily Sander, a former Chief of Staff and early investor, shares how the ring helped her be more present, cut down autopilot habits, and manage stress. They discuss the science behind micro-pauses, the choice not to include biometrics, and upcoming features like synchronized vibrations for groups. Link Mentioned: Pulse Mindfulness Website 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: 00:25 Disclosure Pulse Investment 01:13 Meet Johan and Pulse 02:02 Johann Before Pulse 02:52 Origin Story of the Ring 06:10 Building the Team and Tech 08:32 Why No Biometrics 11:29 Science Behind Micro Pauses 15:18 How the Ring Modes Work 35:38 Roadmap and Closing

  8. Jul 29

    Perfection Is an Illusion: Tips for Giving Better Answers in Meetings

    Emily 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 for a "good" answer is more realistic and helpful. She encourages listeners to drop the idea of perfection and focus on contributing value, even if their delivery isn’t flawless. Get in touch with Emily: You don't need the perfect answer. You need a clear one. 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 Perfect Answer Trap 01:11 Define What Perfect Means 02:20 Perfection vs Excellence 03:46 There Is No Right Answer 05:20 Aim for a Good Answer 07:05 Turn Rambling Into Clarity 09:54 Speak Up With Confidence 12:50 Final Takeaways and Sponsor

See All (308)

5
out of 5
27 Ratings

About

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.

Information

  • Creator
    Emily Sander
  • Years Active
    2023 - 2026
  • Episodes
    308
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Leveraging Leadership
  • Show Website
    Leveraging Leadership

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