Calm the Chaos: Mastering Agency Leadership | Karl Sakas

Mar 12, 2025

In this engaging conversation, Karl Sakas, an agency advisor and author known as the 'agency therapist,' shares insights on transitioning from hands-on doer to strategic leader. He introduces the Desire-Competence-Capacity Framework for identifying future leaders and emphasizes the importance of finding a reliable number two for agency growth. Karl also reveals practical tips to streamline meetings and the critical role of hiring an assistant. His advice aims to help agency owners work less while improving team dynamics and achieving sustainable success.

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ANECDOTE

Book Framing: Calm The Chaos Purpose

Karl framed his new book Calm the Chaos as a practical guide for agency leaders of any size aiming for sustainable growth.
He emphasizes improving leadership and management skills to reach long-term goals like exits or lifestyle agencies.

INSIGHT

Leadership Becomes Non-Negotiable As You Scale

To reach long-term agency goals you must become a better leader and manager as the firm grows.
You cannot run a larger agency by yelling across the room or relying on founder doer habits.

ADVICE

Delegate In A Specific Order

Delegate deliberately by role: start with SMEs, then project management, then account management, and finally client strategy.
Use phased handoffs and apprenticeships to develop strategists rather than dumping responsibilities overnight.

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Are you constantly putting out fires in your agency instead of strategically growing it?

In this episode of the Deep Specialization podcast, Corey Quinn welcomes Karl Sakas, known as "the agency therapist" who helps agency owners work less, earn more, and reward their best team members. Karl discusses his new book, "Calm the Chaos: 10 Ways to Run a Better Agency," which offers practical strategies for agency leaders looking to create better work environments, improve team morale, and achieve sustainable growth.

Episode Highlights:

Transitioning from Doer to Leader: Karl shares insights on how agency owners can effectively shift from being hands-on doers to strategic leaders, explaining the six key agency roles and which ones to delegate first
Finding Your #2: Strategies for identifying, developing, and properly compensating your agency's second-in-command
The Desire-Competence-Capacity Framework: How to identify potential leaders using this practical Venn diagram approach
Streamlining Meetings: Practical tips for reducing meeting bloat and making gatherings more productive
The Assistant Effect: Why hiring a reliable assistant is crucial for agency owners and how to find the right one

The resources mentioned in this episode are:

Escape the generalist trap with my best-selling book “Anyone, Not Everyone” and discover how to become the go-to agency in a vertical market https://www.AnyoneNotEveryone.com
Connect with Karl Sakas on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/karlsakas/
Free resources for agencies from Karl Sakas
Calm the Chaos book, including free sample chapter (available via Amazon worldwide)
Work Less, Earn More book, including free sample chapter (available via Amazon worldwide)
Save $150 on "Control (and Maximize) Your Agency Exit" training, with discount code COREYQUINN at checkout
Save $100 on "How to Stop Scope Creep" training, with discount code COREYQUINN at checkout

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This episode was produced and brought to you by Reignite Media.

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