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

• Ep. 489 - Want a Thriving Company Culture? It All Starts with Just ONE Powerful Question

  In today's episode of the Second in Command podcast, Cameron reveals a transformative approach to measuring and improving workplace culture—one that many businesses overlook despite its powerful potential: The employee Net Promoter Score. (NPS)You’ll hear about a deceptively simple metric that goes beyond typical satisfaction scores, revealing the true pulse of a company’s internal health. The conversation digs into why traditional methods often miss the mark and how a single question can unlock deep insights about employee sentiment, driving meaningful change without breaking the bank.Get a look behind the scenes of real companies that leveraged this tool to climb the ranks of the best workplaces nationwide, illustrating how culture can become a strategic advantage. From thoughtful ways to gather actionable feedback to surprising tactics that boost morale and loyalty, the discussion explores how cultivating happiness at work directly fuels productivity and profitability. Along the way, you’ll discover how leaders can shift mindsets, set ambitious goals, and create a workplace where people genuinely want to stay—and thrive.Whether you’re aiming to retain top talent, enhance teamwork, or simply understand what truly matters to your people, this conversation offers a roadmap to reimagine what a workplace can be.If you've enjoyed this episode of the Second in Command podcast, be sure to leave a review and subscribe today!Enjoy!In This Episode You'll Learn:How a simple one-question survey, the Net Promoter Score (NPS) can gather important feedback and improve company culture. (3:27)Why the process of gathering employee feedback is similar to writing a letter to Santa, as well as the importance of acting on that feedback. (4:33)Strategies for improving NPS, including setting ambitious goals and celebrating achievements. (10:59)The need to balance employee happiness with profitability, and why a high NPS can lead to increased revenue and profitability. (11:46)The impact of external competition and the importance of a strong company culture to retain employees. (12:27)And much more...Resources:Connect with Cameron: Website | LinkedInGet Cameron’s latest book – "Second in Command: Unleash the Power of Your COO"Get Cameron’s online course – Invest In Your Leaders

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• Ep. 488 - TNG Private Wealth COO, Jeana-Rae Kendall

  In today's episode of the Second in Command podcast, Cameron is joined by Jeana-Rae Kendall, COO of TNG Private Wealth, a private wealth advisory practice of Ameriprise Financial Services, LLC.In this engaging conversation, Jeana-Rae shares her journey from corporate America to the entrepreneurial world, offering a candid look at the evolution of her leadership style and the strategies that helped shape a thriving business. She discusses the unique mindset shift that occurs when transitioning between sectors, emphasizing the surprising realizations and lessons that come with stepping behind the curtain of business operations.You'll hear how her team has built a cohesive and agile remote workplace, where onboarding, accountability, and communication are thoughtfully structured for both efficiency and adaptability. Discover how personal assessments and intentional hiring play a role in aligning company culture, supporting autonomy, and creating a highly collaborative environment.This episode also highlights how growth challenges leaders to develop new skills, particularly in the areas of sales and marketing, and what it means to guide rather than micromanage.If you've enjoyed this episode of the Second in Command podcast, be sure to leave a review and subscribe today!Enjoy!In This Episode You'll Learn:The unique structure of the women-led team and TNG Private Wealth, as well as the benefits of having a diverse leadership perspective.Jeana-Rae's background, including her previous experience at a different brokerage firm and her decision to take a career break during COVID.TNG's onboarding process for new employees, which includes a structured first week to provide a comprehensive overview of the company. The restrictions on marketing and sales communications in the financial services industry and how the team manages within these constraints.The importance of accountability and the role of the COO in fostering a culture of responsibility and performance.And much more...Resources:Connect with Jeana-Rae: Website | LinkedInConnect with Cameron: Website | LinkedInGet Cameron’s latest book – "Second in Command: Unleash the Power of Your COO"Get Cameron’s online course – Invest In Your Leaders

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• Ep. 487 - Beyond the Buzzword: Real-World Impact of Emerging Tech

  In today's episode of the Second in Command podcast, Cameron explores the rapid evolution of cutting-edge tools that are reshaping the way businesses operate. The discussion highlights real-world examples of how quick thinking and innovative approaches can transform seemingly complex tasks into simple, streamlined processes. With insights from industry leaders, You'll hear about the power of leveraging new technology to create impactful solutions on the fly—often with surprising results. The conversation also explores strategies for driving team adoption of emerging tools, emphasizing the importance of experimentation, collaboration, and internal engagement. Creative approaches, such as friendly competitions and structured learning initiatives, demonstrate how organizations can build a culture of curiosity and efficiency.With practical takeaways and compelling anecdotes, this episode serves as both a wake-up call and a roadmap for those looking to stay ahead in an ever-changing landscape.If you've enjoyed this episode of the Second in Command podcast, be sure to leave a review and subscribe today!In This Episode You'll Learn:The importance of finding experts who can help automate processes and save time.Why training employees on AI tools and encouraging them to share their learnings with colleagues is vital.The importance of hiring sales and marketing people first to grow revenue before developing leadership skills.Cameron's approach to hiring offshore talent to save costs and increase efficiency.And much more...Resources:Connect with Cameron: Website | LinkedInGet Cameron’s latest book "Second in Command: Unleash the Power of your COO"Get Cameron’s online course – Invest In Your Leaders

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• Ep. 486 - Infinity Constellation CEO, Brennan Pothetes

  In today's episode of the Second in Command podcast, Cameron is joined by Brennan Pothetes, current CEO and former COO of Infinity Constellation, a holding company with eight AI-focused companies.In this fascinating conversation, Cameron and Brennan take you behind the scenes of a fast-growing and highly innovative company that’s reshaping an entire service industry. Brennan shares his perspective on what it takes to build multiple successful ventures simultaneously, while maintaining a high bar for leadership, execution, and strategic vision. Through the lens of real-world experience, he offers insight into the principles that drive long-term growth, the importance of founder mindset, and the structures that support sustainable scale.You'll hear about the complexities of aligning people, purpose, and performance in a high-stakes environment. From early-stage incubation to strategic talent selection, the guest explores the nuances of equity, compensation, and cultural alignment—laying out a model that favors ownership and trust over traditional hierarchies. There's also an honest look at how economic conditions and past market cycles influence today’s decisions around valuation, fundraising, and team incentives.This conversation is both a roadmap and a rallying cry for anyone serious about building transformational ventures in today’s evolving business landscape.If you've enjoyed this episode of the Second in Command podcast, be sure to leave a review and subscribe today!Enjoy!In This Episode You'll Learn:Brennan's career path, starting in risk and compliance in banking, moving to Neo banks, and eventually becoming a Chief Operating Officer.The importance of mental health, fitness, and personal well-being for high performance. Infinity Constellation's model of building and scaling AI-driven businesses, including design as a service and executive assistance.The challenges of transitioning from COO to CEO, and the differences in focus between the two roles.Why aligning with like-minded investors who understand the company's vision and strategy is vital to success.And much more...Resources:Connect with Brennan: Website | LinkedInConnect with Cameron: Website | LinkedInGet Cameron’s latest book – "Second in Command: Unleash the Power of Your COO"Get Cameron’s online course – Invest In Your Leaders

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• Ep. 485 - Empowering Leaders: The Role of Intuitive Hiring and Collaborative Growth

  In today's episode of the Second in Command podcast, Cameron shares unconventional strategies for leadership, team building, and decision-making. Throughout the conversation, he challenges traditional hiring methods, advocating for a deeper, more intuitive approach to evaluating potential team members. The discussion touches on the importance of behavioral assessments over standardized profiling tools, emphasizing the need for leaders to sharpen their ability to assess talent beyond surface-level metrics. You'll learn about the complexities of organizational transitions, offering practical advice on maintaining stability and focus during times of uncertainty. Cameron highlights the necessity of clear communication, structured short-term planning, and fostering a culture of transparency to ensure alignment within a team. With an emphasis on collaboration, adaptability, and intentional leadership, this episode will provide you with actionable insights you can apply immediately to strengthen your teams and organizations.If you've enjoyed this episode of the Second in Command podcast, be sure to leave a review and subscribe today!In This Episode You'll Learn:The motivation behind the COO Alliance: the need for a community specifically for COOs and second-in-command roles.The benefits of attending in-person events, participating in monthly calls, and utilizing the member portal for resources.The value of the Colby profile for understanding and working with CEOs and other team members. Cameron's approach to interviewing and hiring, focusing on behavioral profiling and past performance.And much more...Resources:Connect with Cameron: Website | LinkedInGet Cameron’s latest book "Second in Command: Unleash the Power of your COO"Get Cameron’s online course – Invest In Your Leaders

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