“Scaling doesn’t have to mean stress. The right systems and mindset make growth smoother — not harder.”

In this episode, co-hosts Danielle Cuomo, MBA, and Nicole Gallicchio-Elz sit down with Laurie Barkman, who helps business owners escape the day-to-day grind and scale with more freedom, greater value, and less chaos. Laurie shares practical strategies and mindset shifts for leaders who want growth without losing control — and explains how to help even the most analytical CEOs embrace delegation and leadership development.

💡 What We Cover:

• How to recognize when it’s time to step back from daily operations
• The systems and leadership strategies that prevent chaos while scaling
• Mindset shifts every business owner needs to move from operator to visionary
• How to guide technical or analytical leaders into effective delegation

Top Takeaways for Leaders:

• Scaling is about clarity, not control
• Freedom comes from trust, systems, and team alignment
• Leadership growth often requires stepping back, not doubling down

Common Misunderstandings We See:

• Believing growth = more complexity and stress
• Thinking technical skills alone can carry a business to the next level
• Assuming delegation means losing control

Why This Matters:

If you want your business to grow without running you into the ground, you need more than hustle — you need the right systems, leadership habits, and mindset shifts. Laurie shows us how to scale smarter, not harder.

Closing Thoughts:

Chaos is optional. With the right systems and mindset, scaling can actually simplify your business and give you back control where it matters most.

📌 CTA:

Take a look at your current systems and leadership habits — are they designed for scale, or are they holding you back? Start small: identify one area you can delegate, automate, or systemize this week.

✨ This episode is brought to you by Virtual Assist USA

Your time is valuable. Virtual Assist USA offers experienced, US-based Virtual Assistant services to help CEOs and business owners streamline operations, get more done, and grow faster—with the right support in the right roles.

🔗 Connect With Us on LinkedIn:

👤 Nicole Gallicchio – linkedin.com/in/nicolegallicchio

👤 Danielle C. – linkedin.com/in/djc287

📚 Grab your copy of Not Your Average CEO:

https://a.co/d/aPgacvt

🔗 Connect with Laurie: BTSherpa.com Book: https://btsherpa.com/book

#NYAELPodcast #ScaleSmart #DelegateToGrow #NotYourAverageCEO #LeadershipShift #CEOChecklist #WomenInBusiness #LeadSmarter

🎙️ Season 4 Episode 4 – The ‘I’ve Got It’ Syndrome — Are You Sabotaging Your Own Growth?

“‘I’ve got it’ might just be the phrase holding your business back.”
In this episode, co-hosts Danielle Cuomo, MBA, and Nicole Gallicchio-Elz unpack a quiet leadership trap that’s burning out CEOs and stalling company growth — The “I’ve Got It” Syndrome. It sounds like confidence, but it’s often a mask for control, fear, or lack of clarity. If you’ve ever refused help, avoided outside expertise, or convinced yourself “we’re good” without real metrics to back it up, this one’s for you.

💡 What We Cover:
What “I’ve Got It” Syndrome looks like in leadership
The hidden costs of holding on too tight
How missed opportunities and burnout creep in — for you and your team
Why bottlenecks erode trust and slow momentum
The mindset and system shifts that turn “I’ve got it” into “We’ve got this”

Leadership Self-Check:
Are you the only one with access to a critical process or knowledge?
Would your business function without you for two weeks?
When was the last time you asked for outside support?
Do you delegate fully — or just distribute tasks?

Common misunderstandings we’ve seen:
Believing holding on equals being a strong leader
Thinking burnout is just part of the job
Assuming you’re delegating when you’re actually micromanaging

Why this matters:
“I’ve got it” can quietly sabotage growth and morale
Letting go strategically creates space for innovation and scale
Your team’s proactivity depends on your trust and systems

🎙️ Co-Host Discussion:
What does “I’ve Got It” Syndrome sound like in real conversations?
How can leaders tell if they’re actually the bottleneck?
What’s the difference between delegating and distributing tasks?
How can metrics replace the false sense of control?
What’s one step leaders can take today to break this habit?

Closing Thoughts:
Letting go isn’t failure — it’s leadership evolution. The fastest way to scale is to stop being the catch-all for everything in your business.

📌 CTA:
Download the Leadership Self-Checklist linked in the show notes to find where you’re holding on too tight — and learn what to delegate or systemize to reclaim your genius zone.

✨ This episode is brought to you by Virtual Assist USA
Your time is valuable. Virtual Assist USA offers experienced, US-based Virtual Assistant services to help CEOs and business owners streamline operations, get more done, and grow faster—with the right support in the right roles.

🔗 Connect With Us on LinkedIn:
👤 Nicole Gallicchio – linkedin.com/in/nicolegallicchio
👤 Danielle C. – linkedin.com/in/djc287

📚 Grab your copy of Not Your Average CEO:
https://a.co/d/aPgacvt

#NYAELPodcast #LeadershipCheckIn #CEOChecklist #DelegateToGrow #IveGotItSyndrome #NotYourAverageCEO #BurnoutAwareness #WomenInBusiness #LeadSmarter

🎙️ Season 4 Episode 2 – Beyond Burnout with Melissa Schmidiger

“You don’t need to be average to be excellent.” In this episode, co-hosts Nicole and Danielle sit down with Melissa Schmidiger—a powerhouse leader who’s spent 30+ years at the helm of global teams at McKinsey, Credit Suisse, and Singtel—before choosing to chart her own path as an executive coach.

Melissa’s story isn’t just about career shifts; it’s about refusing to wait for the “perfect timing” to align your success with your life.

What We Cover: Letting go of the myth of “perfect timing” How high-performing leaders can scale without burning out The first steps C-suite leaders should take when at a crossroads Mindset shifts for clarity, energy, and sustainable growth Reinventing yourself at any stage of your career Common misunderstandings we’ve seen: Believing burnout is a badge of honor for high achievers

Thinking reinvention requires starting over completely Assuming timing will “feel right” before making a big change Why this matters: Burnout erodes clarity, leadership, and long-term results Reinvention is possible—without losing the career you’ve built Clarity fuels both success and well-being

🎙️ Co-Host Discussion: What made Melissa walk away from senior global leadership roles?

Why do so many leaders delay change until they’ve hit a breaking point?

How can you tell if you’re headed toward burnout?

What’s the most powerful leadership advice Melissa has ever received?

What does being “Not Your Average CEO” mean to Melissa?

Closing Thoughts: Success on paper doesn’t always mean success in life. The real win is aligning your professional achievements with personal fulfillment.

📌 CTA: “If you’re waiting for the ‘right time’ to make a change, this conversation will challenge you to move forward now—before burnout forces your hand.”

✨ This episode is brought to you by Virtual Assist USA

Your time is valuable. Virtual Assist USA offers experienced, US-based Virtual Assistant services to help CEOs and business owners streamline operations, get more done, and grow faster—with the right support in the right roles.

🔗 Connect With Us on LinkedIn:

👤 Nicole Gallicchio – linkedin.com/in/nicolegallicchio

👤 Danielle C. – linkedin.com/in/djc287

📚 Grab your copy of Not Your Average CEO: https://a.co/d/aPgacvt

Find out more about Michelle: https://calendly.com/melissa-schmidiger/clarity-call

#leadership #burnout #executivecoaching #businesspodcast #ceomindset #careerreinvention #entrepreneur #sustainablegrowth #notyouraverageceo

🎙️ Episode 2 – Mistakes People Are Making Listening to Influencers for Business Advice

“Just because they have a mic and a following doesn’t mean they know what they’re talking about.”

In this episode, co-hosts Nicole and Danielle break down how blindly following influencers could actually be hurting your business instead of helping it. From viral “hacks” to recycled branding blueprints, we’re calling out the red flags and giving you a smarter way to grow.

💡 What We Cover:

• The current influencer culture:Why everyone’s an “expert” these days
• How generic advice can be misleading—or even damaging

Big mistakes entrepreneurs are making:

• Swapping foundational strategy for trendy shortcuts
• Copy-pasting someone else’s content or offer model
• Investing based on hype rather than actual need

Red flags to avoid:

• “I made $100k in a week!” posts
• Buzzword-heavy advice with no real data
• No proof of client success or sustainable growth

What to do instead:

• Vet your sources—who are they really helping?
• Match advice to your actual stage of business
• Learn from people who’ve built solid businesses with real receipts

🎙️ Co-Host Discussion:

• What’s the worst business advice you’ve seen go viral?
• How can you tell if an influencer’s advice is relevant to you?
• Have we ever regretted following popular online advice? (Yes!)
• What filters do we use when deciding what advice to follow?
• Why is hype so much more tempting than strategy?

Closing Thoughts:

Influence doesn’t equal expertise.

It’s easy to get sucked into flashy success stories—but sustainable business growth comes from strategy, not shortcuts.

📌 CTA:Before you implement someone’s “proven strategy,” ask yourself—do they even know what stage you’re in?

✨ This episode is brought to you by Virtual Assist USACEOs know that time is your most valuable asset.

That’s why Virtual Assist USA offers flexible Virtual Assistant services to help streamline operations, increase efficiency, and free you up to focus on growth.

🔗 Connect With Us on LinkedIn:👤 Nicole Gallicchio – linkedin.com/in/nicolegallicchio👤 Danielle C. – linkedin.com/in/djc287📚

Grab your copy of Not Your Average CEO:https://a.co/d/aPgacvt

#businessgrowth #businesstips #businesspodcast #ceomindset #entrepreneur #sales #salestips #virtualassistant #delegation #onlinebusiness #foundationalstrategy

🎙️ Episode 1 – Stop Looking for a Virtual Assistant to Do These Things

“Not every task belongs on a virtual assistant’s plate—even if it's tempting to hand it off.”
In this debut episode, co-hosts Nicole and Danielle unpack the most common mistakes business owners make when delegating to a virtual assistant. Spoiler: if you’ve ever said “I just need someone to fix my business,” this one’s for you.

Setting the record straight:

• What a Virtual Assistant is—and what they’re not

• The difference between support and leadership roles

• Why your VA can’t be your fixer, executive, or business coach

Top tasks you should not delegate:

• Strategic planning and business model decisions

• Unsupervised hiring or firing

• Revenue-generating responsibilities without context or authority

• Team management or conflict resolution

• Developing your core offer, messaging, or sales funnel

Common misunderstandings we’ve seen:

• “I just need a VA to turn everything around.”

• The myth of the ‘super VA’ who can wear every hat

• Expecting results without providing leadership, systems, or training

Why this matters:

• Misalignment = wasted money, time, and high VA turnover

• VAs can be game-changers—when used properly

• Hiring the wrong role slows you down more than hiring no one at all

• What’s the most unrealistic task you’ve seen delegated to a VA?

• Why do business owners blur the lines between support and strategy?

• Have you ever delegated something that completely flopped?

• What should you do instead when you need strategic or executive help?

• What’s one key question to ask before hiring your next VA?

It’s all about alignment.
If you’ve been burned by VA support in the past, don’t write off delegation—just get clear on what should be on someone else’s plate.

📌 CTA:
“If you’ve been disappointed by a VA before, it might not have been their fault—get clear on your needs first.”

Your time is valuable. Virtual Assist USA offers experienced, US-based Virtual Assistant services to help CEOs and business owners streamline operations, get more done, and grow faster—with the right support in the right roles.

👤 Nicole Gallicchio – linkedin.com/in/nicolegallicchio
👤 Danielle C. – linkedin.com/in/djc287

📚 Grab your copy of Not Your Average CEO:
https://a.co/d/aPgacvt

#virtualassistant #delegation #businessoperations #ceomindset #businesspodcast #businesstips #entrepreneur #teamgrowth #virtualassistantservices #smartdelegation

✨ This episode is brought to you by Virtual Assist USA🔗

To continue our VA Series - Join us as we dive into the world of Virtual Assistants a bit more! This episode, Virtual Assist USA chats with Amber L. Gray, Founder & CEO of Trusty Oak, about how to effectively integrate a VA into your existing team and foster a cohesive work environment. ✨ Discover: The importance of hiring based on core values How to treat your VA like a vital team member Tips for proactive collaboration that boosts productivity This content is brought to you by our sponsor, Virtual Assist USA. CEOs know that time is our most valuable asset. That's why Virtual Assist USA offers flexible Virtual Assistant services to help streamline operations, increase efficiency, and give you more time to focus on what matters most - growing your business. You can visit www.VirtualAssistUSA.com to learn more. www.trustoak.com Connect with Nicole and Danielle: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicolegallicchio/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/djc287/ Not Your Average CEO book: https://a.co/d/aPgacvt #businessgrowth #businesstips #businesspodcast #business #ceomindset #ceo #entrepreneur #revenge #sales #salestraining #salestips #virtualassistant #virtualassistanttips #virtualassistantservices #delegation

In this episode of Not Your Average CEO Lifeline, we're diving into a powerful discussion about the essential soft and hard skills that strong leaders, visionaries, and entrepreneurs need to thrive in today's world. Whether you're a seasoned CEO or just starting out on your entrepreneurial journey, there's something in this conversation for you. We'll be asking key questions like: What’s the first piece of advice for entrepreneurs? How do the needs of veteran CEOs differ from those of new business owners? And as one of the top leaders in 2024, what qualities are essential for every leader to possess? Plus, we’ll leave you with actionable tips you can start implementing right away to improve yourself, your business, and your company culture. Tune in for insightful strategies and real-world advice that can help you lead your business to success.This content is brought to you by our sponsor, Virtual Assist USA. CEOs know that time is our most valuable asset. That's why Virtual Assist USA offers flexible Virtual Assistant services to help streamline operations, increase efficiency, and give you more time to focus on what matters most - growing your business. You can visit www.VirtualAssistUSA.com to learn more.

Connect with Nicole and Danielle:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicolegallicchio/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/djc287/

Not Your Average CEO book:https://a.co/d/aPgacvt

More about Amanda: Website: https://www.skintegritymedspa.com/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amanda-lemmage-4a388683/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alemmage/Featured as a top 5 leader on USA Today: https://www.usatoday.com/story/special/contributor-content/2024/04/12/top-leaders-to-watch-out-for-in-2024/73305701007/Fox21: https://www.fox21news.com/business/press-releases/ein-presswire/720486355/congratulations-to-skingevity-med-spa-owner-on-being-named-one-of-8-visionary-women-setting-new-standards-of-success/

#businessgrowth #businesstips #businesspodcast #business #ceomindset #ceo #entrepreneur #revenge #sales #salestraining #salestips #virtualassistant #virtualassistanttips #virtualassistantservices #delegation

Obsessed with success!” This week on the Not Your Average CEO Lifeline Podcast, we’re sitting down with Steven Blue, a CEO with 26 years of experience, bestselling author, and keynote speaker. He shares how keeping a close eye on key metrics is the secret to staying ahead. No, you can’t run a company with your eyes closed—being obsessive about the details is what keeps things moving smoothly! Tune in to hear his take on margins, cost structures, and why staying on top of the numbers makes all the difference! Steven feels, being Not Your Average CEO means being the CEO your employees need, not the traditional CEO history has taught us. I'll give you an example - Most leaders think conflict is a bad thing. They avoid it at all costs. They are uncomfortable with it. When they hear it with their employees, they either cut it off or say “take it off line.” But conflict is not only not a bad thing, it is essential to all progress in an organization—and destructive if the organization ignores it. I encourage it. This content is brought to you by our sponsor, Virtual Assist USA. CEOs know that time is our most valuable asset. That's why Virtual Assist USA offers flexible Virtual Assistant services to help streamline operations, increase efficiency, and give you more time to focus on what matters most - growing your business. You can visit www.VirtualAssistUSA.com to learn more. Connect with Nicole and Danielle: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicolegallicchio/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/djc287/ Not Your Average CEO book: https://a.co/d/aPgacvt Connect with Steven: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stevenblue More about Steven: Steven L. Blue, CEO of Miller Ingenuity, which creates high technology products that save lives and preserve the environment. He is a keynote speaker and has addressed audiences at Harvard Business School, The United Nations, Carnegie Hall, The Safe America Foundation, Industry Week, The World Safe Summit, CEO Clubs International, and Medtronic Corporation. Steve is the CEO in residence at Winona State University and author of 5 books. He works with executives, leaders, entrepreneurs, and anyone seeking to learn how to maximize their company’s growth through fostering company culture and innovation. #businessgrowth #businesstips #businesspodcast #business #ceomindset #ceo #entrepreneur #revenge #sales #salestraining #salestips #virtualassistant #virtualassistanttips #virtualassistantservices #delegation