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Leveraging Leadership

Leveraging Leadership

By: Emily Sander
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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.

© 2025 Leveraging Leadership
Career Success Economics Management Management & Leadership
Episodes
  • Practical Ways to Protect Your Time and Energy
    Dec 22 2025

    Emily Sander and Sophia Mikelionis talk about practical self-leadership for Chiefs of Staff, covering how to build microhabits like walking during phone meetings, using a regular coffee mug instead of an insulated cup to encourage breaks, and putting your phone to bed at night to unwind. They discuss the importance of protecting your energy, setting boundaries, and remembering basic human needs like sleep, food, and water. Sophia Mikelionis also shares tips for identifying moments that make you happiest, even outside of work, as a way to realign your efforts and prevent burnout.

    Links Mentioned:
    Sophia Mikelionis’ YouTube Channel
    Email Sophia Mikelionis


    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 yet 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.

    Timestamps:
    01:28 Understanding Self-Leadership
    02:20 Practical Tips for Self-Care
    03:25 The Importance of Small Habits
    05:52 Mindset Shifts for Self-Leadership
    10:47 Creating Boundaries and Protecting Energy
    16:14 Micro Habits and Practical Exercises
    21:05 The Game Changer: Turning Off Email Notifications
    21:46 Creating a Morning Routine
    25:02 Breaking the Cycle of Bad Habits
    31:08 The Importance of Hobbies
    35:40 Conclusion and Contact Information

    Show More Show Less
    37 mins
  • From Helpless to Hopeful: Leading Teams with Accurate Data and a Progress Mindset
    Dec 17 2025

    This episode talks about moving teams from feeling stuck to making progress by first getting accurate data. Emily Sander shares an example of advising a Chief of Staff to use surveys to clarify vague complaints about “culture problems” and explains how gathering real feedback, instead of just venting, can lead to informed action on issues like PTO policies. The message is to focus on what you can control and collect solid info before trying to fix anything.


    Want help getting data points? Book a clarity call w/ Emily here.


    Free Leadership Resources


    LinkedIn

    Website

    Newsletter


    Who Am I?
    If we haven’t yet 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:
    00:47 Shifting Mindsets: From Fix It to Progress
    01:11 Case Study: Addressing Culture Problems
    02:58 Mindset Matters: Accurate Data in Thoughts
    04:19 Taking Ownership and Making Progress
    07:17 Empowering Teams: Changing the Narrative
    12:13 Concluding Thoughts: Empowerment Through Data

    Show More Show Less
    14 mins
  • How Nonprofits Can Scale with Better Fundraising Processes
    Dec 15 2025

    James Misner talks about why only a small percentage of nonprofits break $1 million in revenue and explains that many struggle because they don’t know how to fundraise effectively or are fearful of dealing with money. He shares practical advice for Chiefs of Staff, stressing the importance of having clear fundraising processes, following up with donors, and building a strong team with paid major gift officers. James also discusses the impact of personal connections, handwritten thank-you notes, and branded monthly giving programs.

    Links Mentioned:

    • The Kipos Group Website
    • Connect with James Misner on LinkedIn

    Want to chat with Emily? Book a quick clarity call here.

    Free Leadership Resources

    LinkedIn
    Website
    Newsletter


    Who Am I?
    If we haven’t yet 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:
    00:54 James Misner's Journey into Fundraising
    03:12 Overcoming Fear of Money in Fundraising
    05:53 Creating Effective Fundraising Processes
    08:30 Building Donor Relationships
    12:42 The Importance of Follow-Up
    17:05 The Importance of Donor Retention
    18:44 Supporting Your CEO in Fundraising
    21:45 Effective Fundraising Metrics
    27:19 Building a Monthly Giving Program
    29:16 Seasonality and Major Donors
    31:13 Advice for Chiefs of Staff
    32:46 Encouraging Personal Donations

    Show More Show Less
    35 mins
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