The Founder & The Force Multiplier: Recent Episodes
Manal Keen
The Founder & The Force Multiplier podcast explores how founders and leaders work together with their right-hand partners to turn ideas into action and build wildly successful businesses.This unique take on the typical founder story dives deep into the different business stages of the company and who was by their side or behind the scenes helping to support the leader and the vision along the way.Bottom line: No one succeeds alone.Manal interviews dynamic leaders and their assistants (aka Force Multipliers), and gets the real stories of struggle, failure, triumphs, and strategies that happen on the way to growing and scaling a business. Let's go behind the business to see how these strategic partners cast the vision, navigate change, grow companies, and lead together.
Superhuman Nick Ginsburg is the Executive Assistant to the Provost and Senior VP of Monash University, Founder of The Admin Collective, advocate for mental health, Bachelor of Psychology student, among many other things.
Nick shares how he manages his mountain of responsibilities while juggling his mental health, navigating burnout, and maintaining a social life. Nick shares his personal journey with knowing one's limits, emphasizing self-care and self-awareness. He explains what sparked his recent pursuit of becoming a clinical psychologist, along with his perspectives on work categorization, and a thought-provoking view on the future of administrative roles in an AI-driven era. Moreover, he discusses his emotional experience of handing over the Admin Collective, a safe, judgment-free space he created for administrative professionals worldwide. A significant part of the episode is devoted to men's mental health, breaking the stigma associated with seeking help, and the transformative impact of mental health support.
Should an Executive Assistant be part of the leadership team?
Of course, our knee-jerk reaction is a resounding, “Yes!” But, we do understand there are various nuances to consider. However, an Executive Assistant or Executive Business Partner is more effective when they are allowed in the Inner Circle.
Do not keep your assistant on the periphery, assigning tasks that have no context or meaning. Executive Assistants will be far more invested in their Principal’s success when they are a part of the entire process, and eventually part of the big decisions or even making decisions on their leader’s behalf.
When you bring an Executive Assistant into the inner circle (i.e. the leadership team), everyone wins.
Today we speak with Andy Culligan, fractional CMO and Marketing Consultant for BaseHQ, and his Executive Assistant, Miranda Berry, who he hired through BaseHQ. Andy is a sales person stuck in a marketer's body. He shares his journey from sales to marketing and entrepreneurship, opening up about how his decade of experience led him first to burnout, which inspired his entrepreneurial venture and led to a partnership with BaseHQ, which ultimately led him to hiring Miranda, even when he was nervous about the risk of investing in help.
Miranda became a virtual assistant through BaseHQ after her own experience with burnout, and explains how finding an Executive that you authentically connect with helps you foster that relationship and understand holistically how they work—both in their professional and private lives.
The episode further discusses the importance of vision alignment between the Executive and the Force Multiplier and the significance of taking risks in business. A valuable takeaway from this episode is the role of strong partnerships in business growth, which aren't necessarily made in person but are built on trust and shared values. Andy and Miranda's story serves as an inspiration for listeners to take that leap in their professional journey.
REFERENCES & RESOURCES:
- AndyCulligan.com
- Base HQ
- Follow Andy on Linkedin
- Follow Miranda on LinkedIn
What is the difference between an Executive Business Partner and an Executive Assistant? And does it matter? In the executive support and administrative professional world, titles are always a topic of conversation. There seems to be an endless combination of titles available for these roles. And if it wasn't already complicated enough, these 100+ different title variations often mean very different things across the globe, leading to mass confusion about the function and impact of the individuals in these positions.
So let's clarify a couple: Executive Assistant vs Executive Business Partner
Hallie speaks with Founder and CEO, Elizabeth Orme, and Leadership Integrator, Shannon Hady, the dynamic duo behind Creatively Focused, an EdTech company designed to support special education teachers, admin, and support staff. The pair shares how their mutual respect and complementary skills have propelled their business forward, emphasizing the importance of understanding and respecting each others’ values. Elizabeth and Shannon share plenty of nuggets of wisdom, including book recommendations that have influenced their journey and a candid look into the challenges of running a woman-owned tech company. This episode is sure to inspire any and all strategic partners.
Did you intentionally choose your career path? Or did you stumble into it along the way? On the job learning is fine, but there’s something to be said for strategic career path development and intentional career planning. We discuss how to discover whether you are predisposed to partnership or solopreneurship, and what successful strategic partners do to strengthen their partnership.
View full show notes here: https://founderandforcemultiplier.com/is-having-a-strategic-business-partnership-right-for-you/
Hallie sits down with the one and only Lucy Brazier—CEO of Marcham Publishing, publisher of Executive Support Magazine—to discuss her new book, The Modern Day Assistant, address misconceptions about the profession and its various titles, and offer practical tips for assistants to become strategic leaders in their role. This episode is packed with valuable insights for administrative professionals and business leaders alike, offering guidance on how to leverage the power of Force Multiplier roles for future business success.
View full show notes: https://founderandforcemultiplier.com/the-modern-day-assistant-with-lucy-brazier/
Chief of Staff vs Chief Operating Officer—what’s the difference?
This episode offers an examination of the distinct roles and responsibilities of a Chief of Staff (CoS) and a Chief Operating Officer (COO). We delve into why these roles are not interchangeable, how to maximize their effectiveness, and how to decide between hiring a Chief of Staff, an Executive Assistant, or a COO.
Read our blog post on the topic here: https://founderandforcemultiplier.com/what-is-the-difference-between-a-chief-of-staff-and-coo/
Get ready to fangirl (we sure did!), because we are speaking with Monique Helstrom— esteemed speaker, activator of human potential and former Chief of Staff to Simon Sinek. In our conversation, she highlights the importance of understanding oneself, acknowledging individual strengths and weaknesses, and utilizing emotional intelligence. She also discusses her process of preparing her successor, emphasizing the necessity of effective communication and the importance of 'reset conversations' in building deeper, human connections. Tune in for a wealth of practical advice and inspiration.
Visit Monique’s website
Follow Monique on LinkedIn
Follow Monique on Instagram
Find Monique on Youtube
Over the twelve years that Adam and I have worked together a lot has changed. We've built several companies, iterated others, coached thousands of people, wrote a book, launched two podcasts, learned how to become better leaders, and built a company culture of work-life presence. One thing that hasn't changed, however, is our weekly 1:1 meeting. We have been meeting every Monday morning for 30 minutes (1 hour during the first couple of years) for 624 weeks. Yes, we may have missed a Monday meeting once or twice over that time, but we would either move it to the following day or it wasn't necessary because we were both on vacation. That is how important this weekly meeting is to both of us. And I, for one, attribute it to much of my personal growth and professional success over the years.
If you haven't implemented a weekly 1:1 meeting with your direct reports, or more specifically, with your leader and/or Force Multiplier counterpart, now is the time!
Read the blog post here: https://founderandforcemultiplier.com/how-to-have-an-effective-weekly-11-meeting/
Hallie speaks with Maggie Olson, creator of the first-of-its-kind Chief of Staff Certification. Maggie shares her journey from the food and beverage industry to corporate Chief of Staff, highlighting the importance of every experience as a stepping stone towards success. We delve into the pressures of societal norms, mental health, and gender disparities in risk-taking and explores the nuances of the Chief of Staff role, explaining whether an MBA is necessary for a Chief of Staff role, the importance of setting boundaries, and negotiating better pay. Tune in to learn what it truly means to be a Chief of Staff and how you can grow even further with the Chief of Staff Certification!
BONUS: Maggie is extending a special offer to The Founder & The Force Multiplier community. Anyone who finds out about the CoS certification through us will receive a FREE 30-minute coaching call when they sign up for the Chief of Staff Certification course.
Find out more:
Maggie Olson Consulting
Chief of Staff Certification
Follow Maggie on LinkedIn
The Confidence Code by Katty Kay and Claire Shipman
As an Executive Business Partner or Force Multiplier, our first inclination when faced with a problem, a newly assigned task, or an upcoming project is to put our heads down and get to work. This is usually the fastest way to get said item done, off your list, and on to the next task before ten more things fall on your plate. And yet, in order to grow in our roles, we need to fight against our first instinct (and well-honed "get shit done" muscle) and become more strategic.
Enter The Strategic Pause.
Read the blog here: https://founderandforcemultiplier.com/the-strategic-pause/
Machen MacDonald is an award-winning Strategic Life and Business coach and best-selling author who guides small business owners on how to maximize their success. In this episode, Machen and Hallie discuss how to move beyond fearful thinking and set your day up for success with “daily bookends”. Machen shares how important it is to have faith that it will all work out while dealing with the daily struggles of running a business, and warns that the most common mistake business owners make is failing to own their day and not keeping track of their numbers. Tune in to learn Machen’s three rules for owning the day, as well as his some daily bookend practices you can implement to help you plan and wind down each day.
In this episode, Julia Liebowitz and Evan Kesten, the co-founders of Cabinet, share their journey from forming a community for Executive Assistants (EAs) to developing an innovative SaaS platform. They delve into the challenges and rewards of transforming Cabinet into a fully remote company amid the COVID-19 pandemic, their unique views on remote work, future plans for Cabinet, and the potential of AI in reducing the workload for EAs. Julia and Evan highlight the importance of a growth mindset in business, discussing their commitment to innovation, continuous learning, and adapting to change. This episode is a treasure trove of insights for anyone looking to harness the power of a growth mindset and technology to drive business and career success.
View full show notes here:
Ever wondered what it's like to work alongside a multi-passionate entrepreneur or founder? This week's episode is your ticket to discovering the unique and challenging environment that could be the perfect career path for you. Join us as we share the six essential things you need to know about working with a founder.
From understanding a founder's intensely clear vision to navigating the blurred lines between business and personal life, we explore the various challenges and rewards of working in the dynamic world of startups and entrepreneurship. We also touch on the importance of trust and loyalty, as well as the need to be one step ahead of your founder. Tune in to find out if a career working with a founder could be your ideal path to personal and professional growth.
Read our blog post about the subject here: https://founderandforcemultiplier.com/6-things-you-need-to-know-about-working-with-a-founder/
We were lucky enough to sit down with bestselling author of The One Thing and VP of Strategic Content for Keller Williams Realty International, Jay Papasan, and his Executive Assistant, Carly Fox. Their story is a testament to the power of an effective strategic partnership that is built on communication, trust, and understanding each other's values.
Throughout our conversation, Jay and Carly reveal how their partnership has grown over time, adapting to challenges and maximizing efficiency through prioritization and delegation. We also delve into their 411 meetings, favorite book recommendations, and how focusing on your team is good business practice. Don't miss out on this insightful conversation that offers a blueprint for a thriving business partnership.
View full show notes here: https://founderandforcemultiplier.com/jay-papasan-and-carly-fox/
Feeling drained or stifled at work? It's possible that you're working with an accidental diminisher leader. This week, we recap the six core types of these unintentional suppressors: the optimist, rapid responder, pace setter, rescuer, idea type, and always on leader, and discuss how their well-intentioned management styles can actually hinder the growth and productivity of their teams and how you can help redirect them.
We'll explore topics such as understanding your leader's fears and motivations, engaging in meaningful conversations, and focusing on their strengths. By addressing these behaviors, you'll be on your way to cultivating resilience, emotional intelligence, and ultimately, building a stronger relationship with your leader.
What does it take to build and maintain a successful business partnership? Vanessa Rosenblum and Liza Lambert from Pro REA Staffing reveal how trust, communication, and accountability have paved the way for their thriving collaboration.
In our conversation, we explore how Vanessa and Liza use their 'one thing' strategy to stay on track and productive every week, explain the ways Executive Assistants can lead and manage up for better productivity, and share valuable insights on the ROI of hiring a personal assistant.
Don't miss this opportunity to learn from Vanessa and Liza's experiences and see what's possible when two individuals are committed to communication, care, and creating a strategic business partnership!
Are you unintentionally draining the intelligence and capability of your team in your leadership role? Discover how even the most well-intentioned leaders can accidentally diminish their team's potential, based on the work of Liz Wiseman.
In this eye-opening episode, we discuss the two main types of leadership styles: diminishers and multipliers. Uncover the six types of accidental diminishers and learn tips and strategies to transition from being a diminisher to a multiplier, fostering collaboration and creating successful organizations.
Multipliers: How the Best Leaders Make Everyone Smarter by Liz Wiseman
As a multi-passionate (like, seriously diversely multipassionate) serial entrepreneur, Jeff Davis, founder of 12 Mavens, discovered the power of a Force Multiplier after many years of failed attempts at trying to do it all and hiring the wrong people in the wrong positions, first. Luckily, he found his match in Meagan Tenyer.
On the Founder and The Force Multiplier Podcast, Jeff shares the story of his entrepreneurial journey and how it taught him the value of having a right-hand strategic partner and hiring the right people. He and Meagan share how their years-long partnership works through mutual trust and respect, even though they have never met in person!
Tune in to learn how entrepreneurs can recover and thrive post failure, some of Jeff’s best advice for finding the right strategic partner, and how to keep them.
In this week's episode, we discuss the evolution of the Executive Assistant role and the paradigm shift that has taken place in recent years.
Learn how to build trust with your leaders, develop executive presence, and ask the right questions to force multiply your leader's 20%. We also explore the concept of being an impact player and how adopting this mindset can propel your career forward.
Listen in and discover how you can command your seat at the table and become an invaluable Force Multiplier.
View full transcript: https://founderandforcemultiplier.com/executive-assistant-or-assistant-executive/
How has David Karandish and Jeremy Burrow's partnership thrived since 2017? Tune in to this fascinating episode as they share the secrets behind their successful partnership, from overcoming early challenges and how the partnership evolved as the company grew, to maintaining work-life balance through intentional communication and scheduling. We also explore the impact of AI and automation in the workplace, and how AI is replacing cognitive labor and the implications this has for EAs.
Don’t miss our conversation with best-selling author of The Leader Assistant: Four Pillars of a Confident, Game-Changing Assistant, Jeremy Burrows, and his principal and the founder of Capacity, David Karandish!
LINKS & REFERENCES:
Capacity
leaderassistant.com
Follow David on LinkedIn
Follow Jeremy on LinkedIn
Download 3 free chapters of The Leader Assistant at https://goburrows.com/
Confidence is one of the most oft referenced qualities of successful leaders and high performing professionals. Yet, it's also one of the most elusive qualities to define. What is confidence and how does one get it? Are you born with it? Or can you develop confidence with enough time and effort? And why the heck is confidence so important in the workplace in the first place?
It's a confidence conundrum! But we're here to solve the case and provide some clarity around this whole confidence conversation.
Get ready to be inspired by college students turned entrepreneurs, Liam Redmond and Rob Corrato, co-founders of Desi, a revolutionary rideshare app exclusively for college campuses. Their innovative app connects students who need rides with their car-owning peers, as they share their journey from founding Desi to scaling it to other universities and beyond.
Listen in as we delve into the daily grind of the Desi team, the challenges and successes of being first-time founders, and how feedback from potential drivers and riders has been crucial to refining their product. Learn how Liam, Rob, and the rest of the team juggle their class schedules and responsibilities while growing their business, with a little help from supportive alums and the Notre Dame Idea Center.
In this episode, you’ll gain valuable insights from these passionate young entrepreneurs, as they discuss the process of pitching to investors, getting their app approved by the App Store, and the creative journey behind the Desi name and logo. You won't want to miss this episode, packed with hustle, heart, and a whole lot of college spirit!
Is your leader struggling with motivation, leaving you feeling lost and frustrated? It's time to discover practical strategies for lifting them up and reigniting that spark! In this eye-opening episode, we delve into the importance of staying curious, keeping lines of communication open, focusing on what you can control, and taking charge to lead up.
We explore how to create an environment that fosters motivation, productivity, and success for both the leader and the force multiplier. This insightful conversation will help you navigate through challenging times, strengthening your partnership and bringing out the best in each other.
Read the transcript on the blog: https://founderandforcemultiplier.com/how-to-motivate-an-unmotivated-leader/
Hallie speaks with David Nebinski and Rahul Desai of the Chief of Staff Network, a membership organization of 600+ Chiefs of Staff that offers guides, courses, individual assistance, and more to elevate CoS to the peak of their potential. Rahul and David share the trends they’re currently seeing in the Chief of Staff role around the globe, the skills they believe make a highly effective Chief of Staff, and how the Chief of Staff Network was founded, has grown, and is serving Chiefs of Staff now and into the future.
If you are a current or aspiring Chief of Staff, this episode is for you!
Get 15% off your annual membership to the Chief of Staff Network with promo code FORCEMULTIPLIER.
In this episode, Hallie explains "organizational whiplash", which occurs when leaders constantly change their direction, causing the whole organization to pivot and follow suit. This can lead to several consequences, including a decrease in productivity, burnout, decreased employee retention, misuse of time and money, missed deadlines, and slower growth. Hallie shares what causes organizational whiplash and how Force Multipliers can step up to help their leader prevent it.
Read the full show notes and blog post here: https://founderandforcemultiplier.com/what-is-organizational-whiplash/
In this episode, Jackie Ludwig outlines the importance of expressing thanks to your Executive Assistant and provides advice to get the strategic partnership off on the right foot. Jackie explains that LUMINI Network was created to share her system and provide a network of growth-minded administrative professionals to connect, learn, and grow.
Jackie and Hallie discuss the importance of trust when working with an Executive Assistant. Jackie shared her experience of working with her former boss, Sean, and how she wishes founders and leaders knew that Executive Assistants are more than just an assistant; they often have a wealth of experience and knowledge that, combined with an intuitive power once they get to know their principal well enough, that truly enables them to be a Force Multiplier for their principal. She encourages founders and leaders to ask their assistant for help and lean on them as a strategic partner in their business.
Prior to leading LUMINI, Jackie spent 20 years as a top performing executive assistant supporting executives inside the world’s top companies. This includes leading brands such as YPO, Rolex, and Korn Ferry. Jackie’s “secret sauce” is a system to get maximum value from the unique partnership formed between an EA and a their C-Suite executive. This system was developed, tested, and validated in some of the most demanding professional environments. Her passion is to share this system with EA’s who seek the same rewarding partnership. LUMINI was created to share this system, provide a network of growth minded administrative professionals to connect, learn and grow.
View full show notes here:
Kristine Valenzuela is the definition of a Force Multiplier. In our conversation, Kristine dives into the role of EAs, Chiefs of Staff, and other Force Multipliers as business people and leaders in the C-Suite. She encourages assistants to constantly seek challenges and reach their zone of excellence every day, and petitions for executives to provide opportunities for their assistants to shine.
Kristine has over 25 years of experience as an EA and Cos in many industries and is currently an EA at Atlassian. she strongly believes in advocating for FMs to make sure they understand their value in the workplace. Her passion around the career and their career development is contagious. Kristine shares her experience of holding her own with multi-billion-dollar executives and how she began to wear that hat of confidence. Kristine is now focused on promoting the value of the EA role outside of their field, providing support for EAs and Chiefs of Staff.
This episode will inspire assistants and their leaders alike to see Force Multipliers as more than just a “support function” and to create opportunities for them to take on challenges and thrive, allowing their leaders and organizations to excel as a result. After this conversation, you might just realize that your EA could even just be your next executive-level hire.
REFERENCES
Huberman Lab Podcast
The Tim Ferriss Show
Kristine’s Linkedin
View full show notes here: https://founderandforcemultiplier.com/kristine-valenzuela/
Crystal Baran is proof that anyone, from Founders to Force Multipliers, can manifest their wildest dreams. In our conversation, Crystal opens up about her difficult childhood and early career, her struggles with overcoming burnout and identifying too much with your work, and her journey of transitioning from Force Multiplier to Founder. She shares about the importance of mental health and personal development in the workplace and the physical impact of chronic stress on our bodies.
Crystal Baran is an integrative nutrition coach who helps busy people reduce stress and lead a healthier lifestyle. She has a decade of experience in corporate banking as a Force Multiplier. Crystal helps her clients take a step back and discover their true selves by listening to their intuition. She encourages her clients to practice listening to their intuition and to take the time to relax and enjoy life. With her guidance, listeners can find their purpose and create a more balanced lifestyle.
Crystal's story is one of resilience and perseverance, and she hopes to continue helping others reach their goals. During this episode, you’ll learn how to have the courage to listen to yourself, know when to step back and shift focus, and how to come back from burnout and bounce forward into your next phase of growth.
View full show notes here: https://founderandforcemultiplier.com/crystal-baran/
The most powerful tool in business and life? Gratitude.
Rachel DesRochers is a serial entrepreneur who went from “making brown squares” to building multiple businesses that empower women and other entrepreneurs to achieve their wildest dreams. She explains how gratitude is an essential tool to building businesses and living a fulfilled life, shares some gratitude practices you can implement today, and how letting go of expectations will let your goals and achievements become bigger than you could ever have imagined.
Rachel DesRochers is the founder of Grateful Grahams, an artisanal graham cracker company; the Incubator Kitchen Collective, a non-profit providing kitchen space, business support, and mentorship to food entrepreneurs; founder of The Good People Festival, an annual free music festival; and In Gratitude, a podcast of tools, tidbits and chats on living a life in gratitude. Rachel recently launched Head to Heart Mentorship where she is using all the tools she’s learned as an entrepreneur to support other makers & creatives to live a life of joy! Her most recent project is Power to Pursue a one day woman’s empowerment conference.
Rachel has received numerous local awards and was a semi-finalist for Martha Stewarts American Made Award, awarded the Local Luminary from Slow Foods Cincinnati, 2020 40 Under 40 from the Cincinnati Business Courier and in 2021 the Emerging Leaders for Outstanding Women of NKY. Rachel is a passionate believer in the power of gratitude and the role of food in creating of community. Her mission goes beyond making a great cookie: she also wants to impact her community with positivity and action. If that wasn’t enough she is also mom to 3 and works side by side with her husband in building these businesses.
This conversation is a MUST listen for aspiring Chiefs of Staff or current Chiefs of Staff looking to further define their role!
Clara Ma is the Founder and CEO of Ask a Chief of Staff and has years of experience helping Chiefs of Staff and other Force Multipliers with career development, career planning, matching with the right leader, finding their next role, and much more.
Clara spent the first years of her career at a technical recruiting firm, placing engineer talent at early-stage startups like Warby Parker, Dollar Shave Club, and Bonobos. She then worked at AngelList helping startups hire technical talent and placing over 50+ candidates at other early-stage companies. Most recently, Clara has been cultivating a community of over 500 aspiring and current Chiefs of Staff through mentoring, providing resources, and finding their next opportunities for them.
During our conversation, Clara shared how she fell into the Chief of Staff role, what distinguishes the COS role from that of the EA or COO, and gives advice to anyone who may be considering the position or looking to grow in their role as Chief of Staff.
References and Resources from Today’s EpisodeAsk a Chief of Staff
Clara’s LinkedIn
Moleskine Bullet Journal
Today, Adam joins Hallie for a powerful conversation with author, Bonnie Low-Kramen. For twenty-five years, Bonnie Low-Kramen worked as the personal assistant to Oscar-winner Olympia Dukakis and Louis Zorich. From there, she became a sought-after author and speaker on workplace issues. Her new book, Staff Matters: People-Focused Solutions for the Ultimate New Workplace, is a revolutionary and thoughtful approach to bridging the gaps between all staff in the post-pandemic world.
We had a great time talking with Bonnie about how the pandemic has changed work, the importance of psychological safety, and building the ultimate workplace. She also shared some awesome examples of real staff stories and some of the research in her book, Staff Matters.
References and Resources from Today’s Episode
Staff Matters: People-Focused Solutions for the Ultimate New Workplace by Bonnie Low-Kramen
Mentioned in this episode:
Applications are open for The Founder & The Force Multiplier Cohorts!
Join Hallie Warner and a small group of Founders or Force Multipliers working toward similar goals to grow their life, career, or business.APPLICATION DEADLINE – To be considered for the April 2023 Founder or Force Multiplier Cohort, please complete the application by March 6, 2023. Get support and insights from like-minded leaders. Apply today!
FFM Cohorts
Today, we dive deep into a conversation about the power of human connection, the future of AI in the creative industry, and the nuances of entrepreneurship and branding with visionary entrepreneur, Derrick Scarpaci, and passionate writer, Katherine Williams. The couple are the co-founders of Variantista, a bespoke content-writing and brand strategy company. Variantista helps brands build a unique online presence that educates, inspires, and connects them with their audience on a deeply personal level. In this episode, both Founders and Force Multipliers will learn about creating a brand that feels like home.
Derrick and Katherine are also offering an exciting bonus to all of our podcast listeners! Head to Variantista.com/contact-us and fill out the contact form with the note “Founder & Force Multiplier Podcast Listener” to receive your free 1,500 word article with the purchase of a content strategy.
Hallie interviews best-selling author, executive consultant, speaker, and Silicon Valley veteran, Ann Hiatt, on how she has built confidence over the course of her career as a naturally introverted person, and has bet on herself to create breakthrough opportunities in her life, like creating the first Chief of Staff role at Google and now stepping out onto her own as a founder.
Ann has 15+ years of experience reporting directly to high-profile CEOs such as Jeff Bezos of Amazon, and Eric Schmidt of Google and Alphabet. She now consults with CEOs and their leadership teams across the globe on c-suite optimization, has been a featured speaker at major conferences such as SXSW, The Growth Faculty, and the Valencia Digital Summit. Her bestselling book, Bet On Yourself, was published by HarperCollins in 2021.
References and Resources from Today’s EpisodeAnn Hiatt
Bet on Yourself by Ann Hiatt
Bet on Yourself Podcast
Follow Ann on LinkedIn, Instagram, Youtube, and Twitter
View full show notes here.
Mentioned in this episode:
Applications are open for The Founder & The Force Multiplier Cohorts!
Join Hallie Warner and a small group of Founders or Force Multipliers working toward similar goals to grow their life, career, or business.APPLICATION DEADLINE – To be considered for the April 2023 Founder or Force Multiplier Cohort, please complete the application by March 6, 2023. Get support and insights from like-minded leaders. Apply today!
FFM Cohorts
On today's episode, we speak with our first Force Multiplier! Chief of Staff, Brenda Rogers, shares about her experience transitioning from Executive Assistant to Chief of Staff and how important it is to communicate openly with your executive to grow in your career. We discuss how letting go may be hard but it helps us grow, why mental fitness and emotional intelligence are necessary skills for Force Multipliers, and ways you can grow in your career with training, mentors, and believing in yourself.
Resources from Today’s Episode
Brenda Rogers
Chief of Staff Roundtable
Now Discover Your Strengths by Gallup
The Inner Circle Newsletter
The Founder & Force Multiplier Community
Read the full show notes here.
Join The Founder & Force Multiplier Community for free!
Mentioned in this episode:
Applications are open for The Founder & The Force Multiplier Cohorts!
Join Hallie Warner and a small group of Founders or Force Multipliers working toward similar goals to grow their life, career, or business.APPLICATION DEADLINE – To be considered for the April 2023 Founder or Force Multiplier Cohort, please complete the application by March 6, 2023. Get support and insights from like-minded leaders. Apply today!
FFM Cohorts
The founder of Braid, Michael Abramowitz shares about his entrepreneurial journey, and how entrepreneurship is a marathon, not a sprint. Michael and Manal discuss the benefits of a disruptive app like Braid, how we can’t forget our human side while we run our businesses, and that balancing the many facets of a busy life is not easy, but it’s not supposed to be, and we’re better people for it.
Resources from Today’s Episode
Braid
Traction by Gino Wickman
Drive by Daniel H. Pink
Join The Founder & The Force Multiplier Community!
Join The Founder & Force Multiplier Community for free!
Mentioned in this episode:
Applications are open for The Founder & The Force Multiplier Cohorts!
Join Hallie Warner and a small group of Founders or Force Multipliers working toward similar goals to grow their life, career, or business.APPLICATION DEADLINE – To be considered for the April 2023 Founder or Force Multiplier Cohort, please complete the application by March 6, 2023. Get support and insights from like-minded leaders. Apply today!
FFM Cohorts
Q4 is almost over - are you ready to close the loops on 2022? Manal shares 9 tips on how leaders and Force Multipliers can close out the year strong and hit the ground running in 2023.
In today’s episode you will learn about these 9 practices:
- Goal Setting & Business Planning
- Utilizing a Weekly Execution Plan
- Annual Calendar Review & Planning
- Closing the Loops & Tying up Loose Ends
- Creating a Personal Growth Plan
- Creating your NOT to-do list
- Personal Behavior Assessments
- Tracking Your Wins and Updating Your Resume
- Organizing & Cleaning House
Join The Founder & The Force Multiplier Community!
Business Meets Spirituality Podcast
End-of-Year Checklist for Leaders and Force Multipliers
Free FFM Resources
Connect with FFM!
- Youtube
Have you tapped into your creative side recently? This week, Manal interviews an old colleague of hers, Randy Mills. Their conversation dives deep into the power of creativity and diverse experiences in leadership, the value of helping your team see the vision, and creating an ecosystem of empathy and trust within your organization.
Resources from Today’s EpisodeJoin The Founder & The Force Multiplier Community!
Think Like a Monk by Jay Shetty
Leaders Eat Last by Simon Sinek
Connect with FFM!
- Youtube
Manal interviews the founders and co-hosts of the A Leadership Beyond podcast, Tom Rosenak and Adrienne Guerrero. The two share how what started as a pandemic project grew into something greater, how their Force Multiplier helps BOTH of them execute their vision, and how “graceful assertiveness” can help you find balance and boundaries in both your career and personal life.
References from Today’s Episode:A Leadership Beyond:
https://aleadershipbeyond.com/
connect@aleadershipbeyond.com
https://www.linkedin.com/company/a-leadership-beyond/
Diamond Mind (Tom)
https://www.digdiamondmind.com/
linkedin.com/in/tom-rosenak
Postive Delta (Adrienne)
https://embracethedelta.com/
linkedin.com/in/adrienneguerrero
Connect with FFM!
- Youtube
Do you have “gravitas”? In this episode, Manal walks us through how leaders and Force Multipliers can develop executive presence, otherwise known as gravitas.
Connect with FFM!
- Youtube
In today’s heart warming episode, Manal interviews and reminisces with her own former Principal, Investment Advisor and founder of TSG Advisors, Greg Schaub. Greg explains the value of being an interesting person and surrounding yourself with interesting people. He also shares what he learned from having Manal as his Force Multiplier and from observing other Executives and Force Multipliers throughout his career. Manal and Greg’s conversation is sure to put a smile on your face and inspire you to create a similar environment of trust, support, and care in your own strategic partnership!
Resources from Today’s Episode
- TSG Advisors
- Give and Take by Adam Grant
- Working by Studs Terkel
- The Nordic Theory of Everything by Anu Partanen
- Secular Buddhism Podcast
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In this value-packed episode, Kumon Learning Centers franchise owner, wife, and mother of three, Maliha Rana shares her entrepreneurial journey, and how she is feeling the gap that has been left without a Force Multiplier in her business. Maliha gives incredible insight into how to let go of control and learn to trust your employees as a business owner, and explains how she overcame many of the challenges most entrepreneurs endure somewhere along their journeys. Whether you’re a leader or a Force Multiplier, this episode is a great listen if you’re in the process of hiring new staff, learning how to delegate, or maybe have been a bit too hard on yourself lately.
Resources from Today’s Episode
- Kumon Learning Center, Irving , TX
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“When you micromanage, withhold information, and generally control everything - whether intentional or not - you are limiting your ability to do your job as a leader.” - Adam Hergenrother
In this episode, Manal teaches leaders 5 steps to letting go of control so they can lead effectively, and reassures us that starting small and building micro habits around this trust-based leadership will lead to massive progress for ourselves, our team, and the company. This is a great episode for both executives and Force Multipliers!
Resources from Today’s EpisodeBlog - Leaders, Let Go So You Can Actually Lead
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On today’s episode, Many interviews Ishaan Sandhir and Vishu Namburi, the Co-Founders of Eagle Investors. The young duo share how they grew a small student organization into a community of over 250,000 investors, and attribute their success is a partnership built on mutual trust, a shared vision, and an equal level of drive. They emphasize that the key to growth as an entrepreneur or leader is to figure out each partner’s strengths and delegate the rest, even if we want to have our hands in everything, and that hiring assistants for each advisor has had a huge impact on the organization. You will definitely leave this episode feeling inspired, no matter where you are in your entrepreneurial journey!
Find out More About Eagle Investors
- Eagle-investors.com
- Discord Community
- Money Article
- Business Insider Article
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On our first ever podcast episode, we interview the original Founder & Force Multiplier themselves - Adam Hergenrother, a dynamic and visionary entrepreneur, and Hallie Warner, his Chief of Staff (aka Force Multiplier). In this episode, host and CEO of FFM, Manal Keen, discovers how their strategic partnership got started, why it still works today, and what purred the genesis of The Founder & Force Multiplier brand!
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References and Resources from Today’s EpisodeThe Founder & The Force Multiplier: How Entrepreneurs & Executive Assistants Achieve More Togetherby Adam Hergenrother and Hallie WarnerMindspark and Fight Forward videos for a good laugh
The Founder & The Force Multiplier podcast explores how founders and leaders work together with their right-hand partners to turn ideas into action and build wildly successful businesses.
Our CEO, Manal Keen, interviews dynamic leaders and their Force Multipliers to get the real stories of struggles, failures, strategies, and triumphs that happen on the way to growing and scaling a business.
This unique take on the typical founder story dives deep into the different business stages of the company and who was by their side or behind the scenes helping to support the leader and the vision along the way. Bottom line – no one succeeds alone.
Let’s go behind the business to see how these strategic partners cast the vision, navigate change, grow companies, and lead together.