Becoming Optional at Your Agency, Building Personal Warmth, and Leadership Development Programs with Karl Sakas

“If you don't like managing people, one of the things to consider is: do you want to run an agency? The management portion will never go away. But it also doesn't have to be so hard.”

Karl Sakas, agency advisor and founder of Sakas & Company, has served as “agency therapist” for over 600 clients in 36 countries. He was also our recent guest on Agency Journey. His fourth time on the show!

You can guess why we had Karl on so many times—his insights are always on point.

If you want to work less and earn more, and be a better leader for your agency through cultivating personal relationships and intentional leadership training, this episode will be well worth a listen.

Episode Insights:

💡 The four stages of day-to-day involvement agency owners progress through on the way to becoming optional

💡 Managing expectations as you plan your agency succession

💡 Karl’s process and challenges narrating the audio version of his book, “Work Less, Earn More”

💡 The importance of warmth vs. competence as a manager

💡 Practical tips for building personal relationships with team members and network contacts

💡 Karl’s personal investment in leadership development, including his own coaching and participation in intensive leadership programs

💡 The importance of 360 evaluation as a leader

💡 The leadership development programs Karl recommends

Resourced Mentioned:

📚 Sakas & Company: https://sakasandcompany.com/

📚 Karl’s book, “Work Less, Earn More” (plus companion workbook): https://sakasandcompany.com/lp/work-less-earn-more-book/

📚 The Manager Tools training program Karl recommends: https://manager-tools.com/

📚 Karl’s Agency Leadership Intensive (sign-ups open until end of February): https://sakasandcompany.com/agency-leadership-development-program/

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