Second in Command: The Chief Behind the Chief with Cameron Herold

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Jun 2026

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Welcome to the “Second in Command” Podcast hosted by Cameron Herold, brought to you by the COO Alliance, where top-level COOs share their insights, tactics, and strategies that made them the Chief Behind the Chief. Cameron Herold founded the COO Alliance with one simple goal in mind: to provide COOs with the same professional development and growth opportunities CEOs have enjoyed for many years. COO Alliance is the world's leading network for the Second in Command. Cameron Herold is a top business consultant, best-selling author, and speaker. He’s the mastermind behind hundreds of companies’ exponential growth and he’s touched thousands of businesses indirectly through his work.

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June 16, 202646 min

Ep. 588 - FAN FAVORITE | Former SaaS Academy (now Precision) COO Matt Verlaque

What if your next big business breakthrough started with owning your own blind spots?This Fan Favorite episode throws you in the trenches with Cameron Herold and SaaS Academy's former COO and current CEO Matt Verlachi, as they go far beyond surface-level business banter. From surviving firefighting chaos to building, selling, and now scaling SaaS Academy, Matt Verlachi exposes the real skills that make or break Second in Commands. They unpack why customer obsession cures more growth headaches than any software, how to weaponize one-on-ones for radical team development, and what most COOs get dead wrong about CEO dynamics.Miss this? You risk coasting on old habits while others engineer unfair advantages. Listen now for hard-won tactics you won’t find in any business course from the world’s largest SaaS coaching engine. Timestamped Highlights00:45 – The firefighting mindset that built decisive business instincts05:56 – The overlooked power of “small unit” teams to unlock real growth09:44 – Are you a COO trapped in a CEO’s title? The unexpected identity test13:43 – Brutal truths about customer obsession and why most leaders fail here16:18 – The lesson no founder learns soon enough when selling their company18:22 – The surprising reason joining SaaS Academy changed his life21:31 – The founder’s hidden block: How self-worth destroys pricing27:31 – The counterintuitive leadership split that 10x’d their decision speed41:07 – How his “full-person” one-on-ones rip open performance breakthroughs About the GuestMatt Verlaque was the former COO of SaaS Academy (now Precision), steering operational strategy for the largest coaching platform serving B2B SaaS entrepreneurs. With first-hand experience ranging from firefighting to founding and selling a SaaS startup, he delivers operating wisdom forged under real pressure. He is currently serving as the CEO at Precision, where they help growth-minded founders understand how their business actually works so they can scale with clarity, not chaos.🔗 LinkedIn | Website Mentioned ResourcesGreat CEO Within by Matt MocharyJoe Polish / Genius Network1-800-GOT-JUNKDan MartellShopify (Tobias Lütke, Harley Finkelstein)CrossFitUP Launch Important LinksConnect with Cameron: Website | LinkedInExplore the COO Alliance - The World’s Leading Community for Seconds in CommandGet Cameron’s book: Second in Command: Unleash the Power of Your COO BookTake his course: Invest In Your Leaders Online Course (Use promo code PODCAST10 before the end of the month for 10% off)Chat or video call with AI Cameron via Delphi Note: This Fan Favorite episode is a recast of one of our most impactful interviews, still packed with insights for second-in-command leaders. Whether it’s your first listen or a revisit, there’s timeless value inside. The Second in Command Podcast is an original production hosted by Cameron Herold. Brought to you by COO Alliance. Production and editing by Podcast Your Brand.

June 11, 202638 min

Ep. 587 - Soma Breath Co-Founder & COO Gary Torrens - How to Effortlessly Scale Your Breathwork Business

What happens when you try to build a global movement teaching people how to breathe in an industry exploding with competition? Gary Torrens, co-founder and Second in Command at Soma Breath, sits down with Cameron Herold to reveal what most operators never say out loud. This conversation punches into operational realities: remote chaos, hiring struggles, visionary partner dynamics, and the brutal truth about what actually works when building a scalable certification business.Breathwork is everywhere, but Soma Breath’s story is different. You’ll hear how they went from wild psilocybin-fueled vision quests in Thailand to leading thousands of facilitators and facing the tough tradeoffs of pricing, growth, and culture. If you want to understand the Second in Command power dynamic and see the inside of a company growing faster than most can handle, this episode is your shortcut.Listen now or risk missing the real-world roadmap and the costly mistakes that separate scalable movements from also-rans. Only here: Gary’s unfiltered answers and their playbook for the next stage.This episode is brought to you by our Silver Sponsor, Next Level Growth.They help COOs and leadership teams build Elite Organizations through a proven, customizable framework built around the Five Obsessions of Elite Organizations.If you and your leadership team are ready to operate at the next level, take the Elite Organizations Assessment and receive a free 20-page customized report based on your answers, plus a complimentary one-hour coaching session with a Next Level Growth Partner and Business Guide to begin implementing tools that will help you build an even more elite business.Complete the assessment here to get started - nextlevelgrowth.com/cooassessmentTimestamped Highlights06:53 – The unexpected business model nobody saw coming10:14 – Ancient breathing meets modern science: the strategy that sparked a movement13:10 – Why they priced the membership low—and the hidden risks17:16 – Remote chaos: problems they never saw coming with a global team22:10 – The controversial move to focus on city-based expansion24:19 – The real marketing mess they had to fix after explosive growth27:08 – The truth behind their biggest revenue engine34:07 – Gary’s brutal leadership lesson that changed everythingAbout the GuestGary Torrens is co-founder and COO of Soma Breath. He helped turn a visionary idea blending ancient breathwork, modern science, and music into a global certification platform with 4,000+ facilitators. With a background in physics, finance, and digital marketing, Gary is known for building systems that scale impact, not just revenue.🔗 LinkedIn | WebsiteMentioned ResourcesMindvalleyZumbaCrossFitEOSCalmLovableJason CampbellChip Wilson (Lululemon)Sam SkellyVishen Lakhiani (Mindvalley founder)Ayahuasca, DMT, 5-MeO-DMT, Ketamine (psychedelics referenced)The Renegade PharmacistImportant LinksConnect with Cameron: Website | LinkedInExplore the COO Alliance - The World’s Leading Community for Seconds in CommandGet Cameron’s book: Second in Command: Unleash the Power of Your COO BookTake his course: Invest In Your Leaders Online Course (Use promo code PODCAST10 before the end of the month for 10% off)Chat or video call with AI Cameron via DelphiThe Second in Command Podcast is an original production hosted by Cameron Herold. Brought to you by COO Alliance. Production and editing by Podcast Your Brand.This episode is brought to you by our Silver Sponsor, Next Level Growth.They help COOs and leadership teams build Elite Organizations through a proven, customizable framework built around the Five Obsessions of Elite Organizations.If you and your leadership team are ready to operate at the next level, take the Elite Organizations Assessment and receive a free 20-page customized report based on your answers, plus a complimentary one-hour coaching session with a Next Level Growth Partner and Business Guide to begin implementing tools that will help you build an even more elite business.Complete the assessment here to get started - nextlevelgrowth.com/cooassessment

June 9, 202650 min

Ep. 586 - FAN FAVORITE | Former WIO Bank COO Jamal Al Awadhi – How Elite COOs Deliver Massive Value Even Faster

What if everything you know about starting and scaling a bank is wrong?In this Fan Favorite episode, Cameron Herold uncovers the real story behind WIO Bank with former COO Jamal Al Awadhi, a leader fueling the UAE’s platform banking revolution. From Abu Dhabi’s government-driven vision to the ferocious war for top talent, Jamal lays out how to break tradition, lead through chaos, and unlock transformative team culture.If you skip this episode, you’ll miss out on first-hand insights into word-of-mouth-driven growth, the secret sauce for hiring resilient operators, and the unfiltered truth about working with sovereign wealth funds. Listen now to tap hard-won lessons you won’t find anywhere else. Your next strategic leap could depend on it.Timestamped Highlights01:13 – The immigrant mindset shaping global leadership grit06:04 – The real reason WIO Bank launched in the UAE—exposed09:09 – Unpacking painful problems traditional banking ignored14:00 – Did regulations crush or catalyze digital banking?15:42 – Competing with legacy players: a blunt take on building trust18:04 – Why word-of-mouth blew up WIO’s customer growth overnight26:57 – The resilience litmus test: how to hire for hypergrowth chaos37:02 – Inside the CEO-COO dynamic that keeps a rocketship on track43:36 – Game-changing leadership lessons that rewired Jamal’s styleAbout the GuestJamal Al Awadhi was the Chief Operating Officer of WIO Bank, Abu Dhabi’s breakout digital platform bank. With over a decade in marketing, strategy, and operations across industries, Jamal blends international perspective with deep regional expertise to drive game-changing innovation and hypergrowth at one of the UAE’s fastest-scaling financial disruptors. Currently, he is the CEO of Al Hilal Bank.🔗 WebsiteMentioned ResourcesWIO BankADQ Investment BankInterNationsDynamite CircleHenley Business School1-800-GOT-JUNKImportant LinksConnect with Cameron: Website | LinkedInExplore the COO Alliance - The World’s Leading Community for Seconds in CommandGet Cameron’s book: Second in Command: Unleash the Power of Your COO BookTake his course: Invest In Your Leaders Online Course (Use promo code PODCAST10 before the end of the month for 10% off)Chat or video call with AI Cameron via DelphiNote: This Fan Favorite episode is a recast of one of our most impactful interviews, still packed with insights for second-in-command leaders. Whether it’s your first listen or a revisit, there’s timeless value inside.The Second in Command Podcast is an original production hosted by Cameron Herold. Brought to you by COO Alliance. Production and editing by Podcast Your Brand.

June 4, 202643 min

Ep. 585 - Cedars-Sinai Medical Network Vice President & COO Alen Voskanian - How COOs Can Beat Burnout Before It Breaks Them

Are you secretly running on empty, wondering if burnout is targeting you next?In this episode, Alen Voskanian, COO of Cedars-Sinai Medical Network and author, pulls back the curtain on the raw realities beneath operations leadership. From the constant grind of clinical environments to the personal toll of endless firefighting, Voskanian exposes why burnout hits high performers hardest and how ignoring your creative side can quietly sabotage your impact. This isn’t just about wellness platitudes. It’s a real-world look at chasing fulfillment, designing systems that beat chaos, and the unexpected arts that make leaders resilient.If you’re a COO (or run with one), you can’t afford to miss these insights. The game has changed. Listen now or risk staying stuck in cycles that will bury both your team and your spirit. This is the side of leadership nobody else is showing you.Sponsored byGenius Network - An exclusive community for highly successful entrepreneurs, connecting you with top-tier leaders, strategic insights, and powerful relationships to help you grow your business faster and smarter.Learn more: https://www.geniusnetwork.com/Timestamped Highlights00:25 – The real reason burnout is rampant among COOs and physicians04:12 – The under-the-radar roles that secretly prepared him for operations07:29 – Three unconventional ways to master leadership fast12:18 – Why stand-up comedy became his secret tool for resilience15:57 – The hidden danger in neglecting your creative life as a leader19:53 – Brutal realities of burnout nobody is willing to admit29:55 – How lean principles are quietly transforming healthcare operations39:09 – What people on their deathbeds taught him about fulfillment and regretAbout the GuestAlen Voskanian, MD, MBA, is the Vice President and COO of Cedars-Sinai Medical Network. A board-certified physician in Family Medicine and Hospice & Palliative Medicine, he’s also an author and sought-after keynote speaker. Alen is known for transforming healthcare to improve access and quality. He holds degrees from UC Berkeley, UC Irvine, and an MBA from Indiana University. He’s a former innovation advisor for CMS, a Cunniff-Dixon/Hastings Center Physician Award winner, and a Health Innovators Fellow with the Aspen Global Leadership Network.🔗 LinkedIn | WebsiteMentioned Resources“Reclaiming the Joy of Medicine” by Alen VoskanianIndiana University School of Medicine – Physician MBA trackRyan Holiday, “The Daily Dad”Lean, Six Sigma, and performance improvement frameworksLinkedIn (as a platform for learning and connection)Coursera (for free courses)Clean Six Sigma concepts from Toyota productionAbout the Co-HostSivana Brewer is a Fractional COO for Remote Teams and former COO at Closers.io, where she helped scale the company to multiple eight figures and built over 500+ sales teams in just 2.5 years. She specializes in leadership development, remote operations, and systems that empower teams to grow sustainably.🔗 Connect with Sivana on LinkedInImportant LinksConnect with Cameron: Website | LinkedInExplore the COO Alliance - The World’s Leading Community for Seconds in CommandGet Cameron’s book: Second in Command: Unleash the Power of Your COO BookTake his course: Invest In Your Leaders Online Course (Use promo code PODCAST10 before the end of the month for 10% off)Chat or video call with AI Cameron via DelphiThe Second in Command Podcast is an original production hosted by Cameron Herold. Brought to you by COO Alliance. Production and editing by Podcast Your Brand.Sponsored byGenius Network - An exclusive community for highly successful entrepreneurs, connecting you with top-tier leaders, strategic insights, and powerful relationships to help you grow your business faster and smarter.Learn more: https://www.geniusnetwork.com/

June 2, 20261 hr 2 min

Ep. 584 - FAN FAVORITE | Former KENNEDY24 Presidential Campaign Director Amaryllis Kennedy – How to Build an Unstoppable Political Campaign Machine

What do you risk when you run a mission-driven campaign that breaks every rule in politics? Amaryllis Kennedy isn’t just directing the KENNEDY24 presidential campaign. She’s rewriting the playbook on grassroots leadership, digital disruption, and brutal operational honesty.In this Fan Favorite unfiltered episode, Cameron Herold dives deep with Amaryllis on the real strategies behind building a nimble, values-first organization in the most polarized landscape imaginable. She reveals the raw tension of building trust, keeping chaos at bay, and rescuing authenticity from a world addicted to power and performance. Hard-won lessons from Silicon Valley and the CIA collide with everyday realities of parenting, digital activism, and fighting the system from the inside.If you miss this conversation, you miss the forbidden playbook on what leadership really looks like when the stakes are generational. Listen now for a front-row seat on strategy you won’t get anywhere else and discover why the real power lies in what you’re willing to disrupt.Timestamped Highlights00:44 – The counterintuitive campaign strategy that energizes a disillusioned public05:17 – Why young people are secretly shaping America’s future08:05 – How breaking political storytelling rules actually breaks through13:04 – The brutal inside story behind government overreach19:47 – A behind-the-scenes look into a campaign where careers are truly on the line24:00 – The ballot access chaos that forces real innovation30:31 – Why authenticity beats perfection in a runaway grassroots movement35:32 – Democratizing campaign fundraising with bold gamified tactics47:44 – The sacred job of protecting your leader so they can really listen59:35 – The surprising benefit of Sabbath-style strategy in hypergrowthAbout the GuestAmaryllis Fox Kennedy is a former CIA intelligence officer, author, and advocate focused on diplomacy, conflict resolution, and public policy. She is the bestselling author of Life Undercover: Coming of Age in the CIA and host of Netflix’s The Business of Drugs. She also served as a senior advisor and campaign surrogate during Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s 2024 presidential campaign. She currently serves as Deputy Director of National Intelligence for Policy and Capabilities.🔗 WebsiteMentioned ResourcesKENNEDY24 campaignNetflix – The Business of DrugsApple – TV series based on Amaryllis's memoirBobby Kennedy Jr.Conde NastHearstGenius NetworkBurning ManTwitter (as previous tech experience)Georgetown UniversityOxford UniversityBrown University (used as a reference for war statistics)Important LinksConnect with Cameron: Website | LinkedInExplore the COO Alliance - The World’s Leading Community for Seconds in CommandGet Cameron’s book: Second in Command: Unleash the Power of Your COO BookTake his course: Invest In Your Leaders Online Course (Use promo code PODCAST10 before the end of the month for 10% off)Chat or video call with AI Cameron via DelphiNote: This Fan Favorite episode is a recast of one of our most impactful interviews, still packed with insights for second-in-command leaders. Whether it’s your first listen or a revisit, there’s timeless value inside.The Second in Command Podcast is an original production hosted by Cameron Herold. Brought to you by COO Alliance. Production and editing by Podcast Your Brand.

May 28, 202646 min

Ep. 583 - NSBE CFO & COO Stanton Hill - How to Build Unstoppable COO Teams That Win

What does it really take to sit in the second seat and do it with drive, grace, and guts? In this episode, Lindsay uncovers the journey and mindset of Stanton Hill, the Chief Financial and Operating Officer for the National Society of Black Engineers. From his unexpected path into leadership to the high-stakes pivots required during a crisis, Stanton Hill reveals the nuts and bolts (and the emotional work) of steering a student-governed organization with 25,000+ members.If you’re wrestling with hybrid teams, retention headaches, or scaling real culture, this is your masterclass. Avoid missing real-world tactics on delegation, resilience, and helping people thrive even when the world flips upside down. Listen now for the brutal, refreshing clarity on what it takes to lead from the number two seat while building a legacy that outlasts your title.Timestamped Highlights00:40 – The real reason student governance keeps NSBE thriving02:22 – The moment a father invests for life in his son’s future06:04 – How a COO earns trust and evolves during big leadership shifts10:06 – Brutal revenue risks when in-person events collapse overnight13:02 – The hidden reality behind hybrid events few executives know16:12 – Career fair hacks that build total confidence in seconds17:20 – The overlooked muscle every COO needs: leading with empathy29:07 – The ruthless approach to blocking out overwhelm, not just emails40:12 – How personal adversity can forge leaders who never flinchAbout the GuestStanton Hill brings two decades of experience in financial strategy and nonprofit operations. Prior to joining NSBE, he held several roles at the United Negro College Fund (UNCF), where he managed multimillion-dollar operating budgets, streamlined financial processes, and led grant management initiatives totaling over $30 million. He began his career with a focus on business analytics and process optimization and has since advanced through NSBE's leadership ranks: from Director of Finance and Accounting to Chief Financial Officer, and now Chief Financial & Operating Officer. Stanton Hill earned his Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration from Morehouse College and a Master of Business Administration with a concentration in Innovation, Entrepreneurship, and High Technology from Northeastern University. He resides in Georgia with his wife Adrienne and their sons Davis and Carter. 🔗 LinkedIn | WebsiteMentioned ResourcesUnited Negro College Fund (UNCF)Six SigmaProject Management Professional (PMP)About the Co-HostLindsay Smith is an experience-driven growth strategist and former Chief Strategy Officer who scaled a new region without a traditional sales team or bloated marketing budget by turning relationships, culture, and execution into revenue. She is the author of No One Needs Another Company Mug. Stop Branding. Start Experiencing and helps leadership teams use experience as a competitive growth lever.🔗 Connect with Lindsay on LinkedInImportant LinksConnect with Cameron: Website | LinkedInExplore the COO Alliance - The World’s Leading Community for Seconds in CommandGet Cameron’s book: Second in Command: Unleash the Power of Your COO BookTake Cameron’s leadership course: Invest In Your Leaders Online Course (Use promo code PODCAST10 before the end of the month for 10% off)Chat or video call with AI Cameron via DelphiThe Second in Command Podcast is an original production hosted by Cameron Herold and co-hosted by Lindsay Smith. Brought to you by COO Alliance. Production and editing by Podcast Your Brand.Sponsored by:Redirect Health - Affordable healthcare benefits designed to make traditional insurance optional, with 24/7 access to primary care and Rx support that helps businesses reduce costs while keeping employees covered.Learn more: http://www.redirectcoo.com/

May 26, 202638 min

Ep. 582 - FAN FAVORITE | Somewhere COO Benjamin Surman – How Top COOs Slash Headcount and Boost Profits

What if cutting half your team could be the secret to explosive growth?In this Fan Favorite episode, Cameron Herold sits down with Benjamin Surman, COO of Somewhere (formerly Support Shepherd), a company that rocketed from $1M to $25M and is still hungry for more. The conversation tackles the real-world, often-unspoken operational questions: When do you fire instead of hire? Where’s the hidden margin in automation? Why are so many leaders clinging to headcount when systems could do the job faster, cheaper, and with less chaos?If you’re addicted to the idea that bigger is always better, this episode will shake your assumptions. Miss it and risk drowning in legacy thinking while your competitors eat your lunch. Listen now for the strategic edge you won’t hear anywhere else.Timestamped Highlights00:48 – The real reason behind a bold global rebrand02:29 – How one contractor quietly took the reins as COO08:54 – Why bootstrapping (not VC money) set the right culture11:00 – The micro-influencer lever that brings 4,000 referral partners13:25 – What no one tells you about hiring in Latin America17:41 – The $3M decision: Slashing 120 employees with zero regrets20:13 – Behind the curtain of an automated sales pipeline25:37 – The COO playbook for uncovering invisible inefficienciesAbout the GuestBenjamin Surman is the Chief Operating Officer of Somewhere, a hyper-growth headhunting agency revolutionizing global talent acquisition. With a relentless focus on automation and operational excellence, Benjamin Surman has scaled the business from $1M to over $25M in just three years.🔗 LinkedIn | WebsiteMentioned ResourcesMy First Million PodcastSean Puri, Sam Parr, Nick HuberHubSpotRecruit CRMMichael Gerber – The E Myth RevisitedImportant LinksConnect with Cameron: Website | LinkedInExplore the COO Alliance - The World’s Leading Community for Seconds in CommandGet Cameron’s book: Second in Command: Unleash the Power of Your COO BookTake his course: Invest In Your Leaders Online Course (Use promo code PODCAST10 before the end of the month for 10% off)Chat or video call with AI Cameron via DelphiNote: This Fan Favorite episode is a recast of one of our most impactful interviews, still packed with insights for second-in-command leaders. Whether it’s your first listen or a revisit, there’s timeless value inside.The Second in Command Podcast is an original production hosted by Cameron Herold. Brought to you by COO Alliance. Production and editing by Podcast Your Brand.

May 21, 202641 min

Ep. 581 - CoinMe COO Sung Choi - Life After Acquisition: Surprising Wins and Brutal Costs

What happens when a regulated fintech meets the wild swings of crypto and then gets acquired by a Web3 giant?In this no-fluff conversation, Cameron Herold sits face-to-face with Sung Choi, COO of CoinMe, just months after their high-stakes Polygon Labs acquisition. They get blunt about what it really takes to survive in crypto, how to lead through M&A chaos without losing your best people, and why AI is rapidly rewriting the rules of operational excellence.If you want to hear war stories and hard-earned lessons from the frontlines of scaling a volatile, regulated business, this is your episode. Don’t risk missing the sharpest insights on leadership, remote culture, and how to stay relevant through uncertainty. Listen now for playbook-level takeaways you won’t get anywhere else.This episode is brought to you by our Silver Sponsor, Next Level Growth.They help COOs and leadership teams build Elite Organizations through a proven, customizable framework built around the Five Obsessions of Elite Organizations.If you and your leadership team are ready to operate at the next level, take the Elite Organizations Assessment and receive a free 20-page customized report based on your answers, plus a complimentary one-hour coaching session with a Next Level Growth Partner and Business Guide to begin implementing tools that will help you build an even more elite business.Complete the assessment here to get started - nextlevelgrowth.com/cooassessmentTimestamped Highlights00:06 – The brutal reality of CoinMe’s early hardware dreams11:10 – Why powering partners crushed owning infrastructure13:04 – “M&A is like polyamorous dating” and what nobody tells you17:14 – The tension of disclosure and keeping employees sane22:25 – A surprising pivot: from bitcoin hype to stablecoin utility26:29 – The regrets and rewards of abandoning office life30:26 – How “work from anywhere” delivers hidden productivity34:01 – Why AI is now their secret operating system44:23 – The one leadership skill every modern COO must masterAbout the GuestSung Choi is the Chief Operating Officer at CoinMe, a leading regulated platform for stablecoin and crypto payments. With full-stack experience in scaling teams and driving innovation, he steered CoinMe through its pivotal acquisition by Polygon Labs. Sung Choi is recognized for blending real-world grit with bleeding-edge tech in fintech.🔗 LinkedIn | WebsiteMentioned ResourcesPolygon LabsCoinstarPantera CapitalDigital Currency Group (DCG)Gemini (AI tool)Claude (AI tool)ChatGPTiTex (formerly ubarter.com)Goldman SachsOKRs frameworkImportant LinksConnect with Cameron: Website | LinkedInExplore the COO Alliance - The World’s Leading Community for Seconds in CommandGet Cameron’s book: Second in Command: Unleash the Power of Your COO BookTake Cameron’s leadership course: Invest In Your Leaders Online Course (Use promo code PODCAST10 before the end of the month for 10% off)Chat or video call with AI Cameron via DelphiThe Second in Command Podcast is an original production hosted by Cameron Herold and co-hosted by Lindsay Smith. Brought to you by COO Alliance. Production and editing by Podcast Your Brand.This episode is brought to you by our Silver Sponsor, Next Level Growth.They help COOs and leadership teams build Elite Organizations through a proven, customizable framework built around the Five Obsessions of Elite Organizations.If you and your leadership team are ready to operate at the next level, take the Elite Organizations Assessment and receive a free 20-page customized report based on your answers, plus a complimentary one-hour coaching session with a Next Level Growth Partner and Business Guide to begin implementing tools that will help you build an even more elite business.Complete the assessment here to get started - nextlevelgrowth.com/cooassessment

May 19, 202656 min

Ep. 580 - Rapid SOS President & COO José Mejia - Why Every COO Needs a Merlin-Style Leadership Edge

What if the best leaders are the least visible? In this episode, José Mejia pulls back the curtain on how a Venezuelan teen with just $120 became a transformational COO, unpacking what it really means to be the “Merlin” behind the CEO. This intimate conversation unlocks how true leaders create common ground, give permission to execute, and wield vulnerability as a superpower, especially in high-stakes, purpose-driven companies like Rapid SOS.If you think AI will automate your edge, think again. José Mejia shows why the human element, experiences, handwritten notes, and emotional role modeling, drive outcomes tech never will. Miss this episode, and you keep searching for culture and leadership hacks, while the real magic quietly passes you by. Push play now for insights you won’t find anywhere else.This episode is sponsored by our Silver Sponsor, STS Capital Partners: Your expert guides on the journey to an Extraordinary Exit™. To learn more about STS Capital Partners and how they achieve maximum value by Selling to Strategics™, complete the inquiry form here: https://stscapital.com/coo-alliance/Timestamped Highlights00:33 – The unlikely airport arrival that rewired Jose’s confidence for life06:24 – The “self-directed team” principle that built a 40-year inner circle09:16 – Why leaders must channel Merlin, not the King, to win with teams11:18 – The brutal difference purpose makes when lives are on the line13:23 – What true CEO-COO alignment REALLY looks like behind closed doors16:44 – Underground, Battleground, Common Ground: The language that kills or creates culture20:12 – How AI quietly transforms operator decisions in real emergencies31:05 – The unspoken burden of leading a company where mistakes can cost livesAbout the GuestJosé Mejia is the President and COO of Rapid SOS, leading a team of 500+ to save lives at scale. With a career spanning IBM, Lucent, and high-growth startups, Jose has built self-directed teams and organizational cultures admired worldwide. His “Merlin” approach to leadership is redefining how rapid-growth companies scale with heart.🔗 LinkedIn | WebsiteMentioned ResourcesIBMDuke UniversityLucent and Bell LabsAndy Grove (former CEO of Intel; High Output Management book)Soul on Fire (book and movie)Magic Cabaret, ChicagoSlackGoogle DocsAbout the Co-HostLindsay Smith is an experience-driven growth strategist and former Chief Strategy Officer who scaled a new region without a traditional sales team or bloated marketing budget by turning relationships, culture, and execution into revenue. She is the author of No One Needs Another Company Mug. Stop Branding. Start Experiencing and helps leadership teams use experience as a competitive growth lever.🔗 Connect with Lindsay on LinkedInImportant LinksConnect with Cameron: Website | LinkedInExplore the COO Alliance - The World’s Leading Community for Seconds in CommandGet Cameron’s book: Second in Command: Unleash the Power of Your COO BookTake Cameron’s leadership course: Invest In Your Leaders Online Course (Use promo code PODCAST10 before the end of the month for 10% off)Chat or video call with AI Cameron via DelphiThe Second in Command Podcast is an original production hosted by Cameron Herold and co-hosted by Lindsay Smith. Brought to you by COO Alliance. Production and editing by Podcast Your Brand.This episode is sponsored by our Silver Sponsor, STS Capital Partners: Your expert guides on the journey to an Extraordinary Exit™. To learn more about STS Capital Partners and how they achieve maximum value by Selling to Strategics™, complete the inquiry form here: https://stscapital.com/coo-alliance/

May 14, 202638 min

Ep. 579 - Critical Control COO & Co-Founder Claudine Ripert - Warning: The Critical Mistake Leaders Make in Crisis

Ever felt that urge to take total control, only to realize it throttled your team’s growth and your own sanity?Claudine Ripert, COO and co-founder of Critical Control, and COO Alliance member, joins this fierce, truth-telling conversation about leading a fast-scaling restoration business through chaos, disaster, and family dynamics.You’ll hear what it really takes to balance everyday emergencies with unplanned catastrophe, all while steering a company with your own son as CEO. Expect real talk on delegation, brutal lessons learned, what women face in construction, and the psychological traps that kill momentum.Miss this episode, and you risk driving your business into burnout, not breakthrough. Listen now for raw, exclusive wisdom you won’t find in glossy leadership books—only from those who have lived it and bled for it.Timestamped Highlights06:12 – The real chaos of disaster recovery nobody tells you10:05 – Why chasing growth can sabotage your core business overnight14:05 – The unexpected curse of working with family17:00 – The radical communication exercise that finally changed everything22:29 – Brutal truths about enabling and hiring for potential27:15 – The moment Claudine Ripert stopped being a control freak30:06 – The shift from “majoring in the minors” to critical thinking41:46 – Why the right broker referral beats insurance programs every timeAbout the GuestClaudine Ripert is the COO and cofounder of Critical Control Restoration, and COO Alliance member, leading regional disaster recovery operations in California with a national footprint during major catastrophes. Known for scaling her family business through intense market disruption and emotional upheaval, she blends operational rigor with human vulnerability that few in her industry will discuss.🔗 LinkedIn | WebsiteMentioned ResourcesWho by Geoff SmartCAFE (Canadian Association of Family Enterprise)Maslow’s Hierarchy of NeedsCollege Pro Painters1-800-GOT-JUNKGerber Auto Collision/Boyd Auto BodyImportant LinksConnect with Cameron: Website | LinkedInExplore the COO Alliance - The World’s Leading Community for Seconds in CommandGet Cameron’s book: Second in Command: Unleash the Power of Your COO BookTake his course: Invest In Your Leaders Online Course (Use promo code PODCAST10 before the end of the month for 10% off)Chat or video call with AI Cameron via DelphiThe Second in Command Podcast is an original production hosted by Cameron Herold. Brought to you by COO Alliance. Production and editing by Podcast Your Brand.Sponsored byGenius Network - An exclusive community for highly successful entrepreneurs, connecting you with top-tier leaders, strategic insights, and powerful relationships to help you grow your business faster and smarter.Learn more: https://www.geniusnetwork.com/