299. Managing Agency Chaos, with Karl Sakas

May 28, 2025

Karl Sakas, an agency advisor and author of 'Calm the Chaos,' shares his insights on managing agency challenges. He discusses the evolving sources of stress for agency leaders and offers a 10-part framework to restore calm. Delegation takes center stage, with Karl explaining the difference between intentional and reckless delegation. He emphasizes the importance of a reliable number two and strategies for protecting time. With practical tips for agencies of all sizes, Sakas provides a roadmap to reduce chaos and enhance leadership effectiveness.

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INSIGHT

Remote Work Raises Management Complexity

Remote and hybrid work make people management harder but allow hiring beyond your local market.
The trade-off is greater difficulty supervising face-time versus improved access to talent.

INSIGHT

Agencies Are Often Viewed As Sellable Assets

Many agency owners now view their business as a sellable asset and aim for higher exit valuations post-COVID.
That mindset shift changes priorities toward scaling and positioning for an eventual sale.

ADVICE

Put On Your Own Oxygen Mask

Take care of yourself first so you can better support your team and make clearer decisions.
Stop doing presence for its own sake and design the work-life you want now instead of postponing it until an exit.

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This episode of The Innovative Agency Podcast welcomes back Karl Sakas, a familiar and trusted voice in the agency world. Through Sakas & Company, Karl offers custom consulting, executive coaching and training programs and products to help agency owners "up-level" at their agency.

He joins this episode of The Innovative Agency to share powerful and practical strategies straight from his latest book, Calm The Chaos, for agency leaders juggling relentless client demands and economic pressures.

Knowing where to turn first to restore calm and focus can feel like a big challenge. Karl's tips can help your agency get chaos under control, delegate work intentionally, and build stronger teams. If you're searching for practical ways to regain control and lead your agency with less stress, this episode offers tactics you won't want to miss.

What you will learn in this episode:

The most common sources of chaos and stress for agency leaders and which issues are surging right now
Karl's 10-part framework for calming agency chaos, with a focus on actionable leadership and management tactics
The difference between reckless and intentional delegation, and how to avoid creating more problems through abdication
The critical role of empowering a strong number two and a reliable assistant as your agency scales
Practical methods for protecting your time as a leader
How to build a culture of accountability and set clear benchmarks for performance improvement before it's too late

Karl Sakas helps independent agency owners Work Less and Earn More, while rewarding their best team members. Drawing on his background in agency operations and leadership, Karl has personally advised hundreds of agencies on every inhabited continent. He is the author of four books—including Work Less, Earn More and Calm the Chaos—and hundreds of articles on agency growth. When he's not helping clients, Karl volunteers as a bartender on an antique train.

Resources:

Website: https://sakasandcompany.com/
LinkedIn Personal: https://www.linkedin.com/in/karlsakas/
LinkedIn Business: https://www.linkedin.com/company/sakas-&-company/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SakasAndCompany/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/karlsakas
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/SakasandCompanyTeam/
Calm the Chaos:10 Ways to Run a Better Agency: https://sakasandcompany.com/lp/calm-the-chaos-book/