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

Today’s episode of the Second in Command podcast is a recast of Cameron’s conversation with Brandon Fong of the Beyond Curious podcast. They discuss the critical role of the COO, paralleling it with Cameron’s entrepreneurial evolution that includes childhood business endeavors and his impactful role at 1-800-GOT-JUNK. He advocates for comprehensive leadership training, as evidenced by his “Invest in Your Leaders” course which encompasses interviewing techniques and hiring strategies. Cameron’s early ventures, from trading coat hangers to his strategic leadership roles, illustrate the developmental arc of a successful executive.Brandon and Cameron discuss the dynamic between a CEO and COO, framing the COO’s role as an integral counterbalance to the CEO — implementing the vision with precision and fostering a synergistic partnership, often strengthened through innovative practices like “date nights.” Cameron outlines the transformative power of a “vivid vision,” an extensive blueprint for a company’s future that streamlines decision-making and aligns with organizational aspirations.They also discuss Cameron’s personal philosophy following his tenure at 1-800-GOT-JUNK, where he prioritizes life’s enjoyment, personal passions such as skiing, and a harmonious work-life integration. He introduces the unique concept of a personal “Operating Manual” for leaders, enhancing interpersonal dynamics within teams. Enjoy!In This Episode You’ll Learn:The COO’s role as a complement to the CEO, and Cameron’s journey to becoming the COO of 1-800-GOT-JUNK.The importance of leadership training, highlighted by Cameron’s course “Invest in Your Leaders.”The COO’s responsibilities in executing the CEO’s vision and nurturing a collaborative relationship.The concept of a “vivid vision” – a detailed plan for a company’s future that aids in decision-making and aligns with the company’s long-term goals.Cameron’s post-1-800-GOT-JUNK philosophy on enjoying life, pursuing passions like skiing, and balancing work with personal life.And much more… Resources:Subscribe, Rate & ReviewI'd love you to subscribe to the podcast and leave an honest rating & review. This will encourage others to listen and grow as a community.YouTube - Second In Command Podcast - https://www.youtube.com/@secondincommandpodcast YouTube - Cameron Herold Leadership - https://www.youtube.com/@CameronHerold COO Alliance - https://cooalliance.com/ Cameron’s newest book - The Second In Command - https://a.co/d/287lESq Cameron’s Online Leadership Course - https://investinyourleaders.com/ch  Cameron’s Website - https://cameronherold.com/ Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/cameron_herold_cooalliance/ 

In today’s episode, Cameron introduces Rodolfo Lanzagorta, a COO Alliance member from Mexico and COO of Linko. Rodolfo provides insights on the cross-border business dynamics between Mexico and the United States. He also shares his personal growth journey as a COO Alliance member and his transition from larger tech and consulting firms to a smaller entrepreneurial organization.Discover Linko’s fascinating history and gain valuable insight into Rodolfo’s decision to become part of this company. He reflects on his early days at Linko, including adapting his leadership style and cautious approach to integrate with Linko’s existing team dynamics. In addition, Rodolfo emphasizes the crafting of Linko’s 2026 vision. He also shares strategies to effectively decline ideas from team members without diminishing their enthusiasm or creativity.Tune in to this enlightening episode!What You’ll Learn in this Show:About Linko Tech Solutions and their expansion operations into the United States.Entrepreneurial growth and Mexico’s digital banking advancements. Challenges and opportunities for a Mexican company entering the US market.Adapting leadership style for a diverse team.The importance of preparation and support for changes in the organizational structure.Proper training of your employees on essential tools. Sales strategies for the financial services industry.And so much more… Resources:Connect with  Rodolfo Lanzagorta: LinkedIn | WebsiteSubscribe, Rate & ReviewI'd love you to subscribe to the podcast and leave an honest rating & review. This will encourage others to listen and grow as a community.YouTube - Second In Command Podcast - https://www.youtube.com/@secondincommandpodcast YouTube - Cameron Herold Leadership - https://www.youtube.com/@CameronHerold COO Alliance - https://cooalliance.com/ Cameron’s newest book - The Second In Command - https://a.co/d/287lESq Cameron’s Online Leadership Course - https://investinyourleaders.com/ch  Cameron’s Website - https://cameronherold.com/ Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/cameron_herold_cooalliance/ 

Roland Frasier, host of the Business Lunch podcast, joins Cameron to discuss the importance of flexibility, adaptability, and vision in a successful second in command. They explore the need for CEOs to recognize their strengths and delegate tasks, as well as the significance of aligning passion and proficiency in a well-rounded leadership team. They also discuss the role of CEOs in external activities and the indicators for when to bring in a second-in-command.

Our guest today is Olivia Micallef, Chief Operating Officer of Settle Inc., an all-in-one fintech platform built to help e-commerce brands scale seamlessly. Olivia is a cross-disciplinary leader in fintech and banking, with expertise across strategy, product and business operations. Her current focus is on driving growth and managing operations. In her past role as VP of Venmo Commerce, she was responsible for the payment brand’s 80M+ customer retention and continual acquisition. Olivia has also held a variety of roles at PayPal, with increasingly larger roles as the company evolved and went through hyper growth – including multiple acquisitions like Xoom and iZettle, 100%+ revenue growth, and leadership of large product and growth teams at-scale. In today’s episode, Cameron and Olivia discuss her insights on what’s happening with the current recession and how they’ve received financing and funding from Silicon Valley banks. They also discuss the separation of PayPal from eBay, as well as the advice she would give to her 21 year-old self.In This Episode You’ll Learn:How Settle helps businesses in the B2C space better understand cash flow and inventory turns.The tell-tale signs of a soft landing.The difference between a revenue-based and invoice-based financing model.The challenges of moving from a large company to a small company. Resources:Connect with Olivia: Website | LinkedInSubscribe, Rate & ReviewI'd love you to subscribe to the podcast and leave an honest rating & review. This will encourage others to listen and grow as a community.YouTube - Second In Command Podcast - https://www.youtube.com/@secondincommandpodcast YouTube - Cameron Herold Leadership - https://www.youtube.com/@CameronHerold COO Alliance - https://cooalliance.com/ Cameron’s newest book - The Second In Command - https://a.co/d/287lESq Cameron’s Online Leadership Course - https://investinyourleaders.com/ch  Cameron’s Website - https://cameronherold.com/ Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/cameron_herold_cooalliance/ 

Are you curious about the secrets to successful female entrepreneurs? In this podcast episode, Cameron Herold, renowned business coach and entrepreneur, engages in a captivating conversation with Christopher Lochhead.  Together, they explore essential topics that will transform how you think about business, leadership, and the impact of women in the workforce. Here’s a glimpse of […]Resources: Subscribe, Rate & ReviewI'd love you to subscribe to the podcast and leave an honest rating & review. This will encourage others to listen and grow as a community.YouTube - Second In Command Podcast - https://www.youtube.com/@secondincommandpodcast YouTube - Cameron Herold Leadership - https://www.youtube.com/@CameronHerold COO Alliance - https://cooalliance.com/ Cameron’s newest book - The Second In Command - https://a.co/d/287lESq Cameron’s Online Leadership Course - https://investinyourleaders.com/ch  Cameron’s Website - https://cameronherold.com/ Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/cameron_herold_cooalliance/ 

Victoria Weller, Chief of Staff at ElevenLabs and former astrophysics and space medicine enthusiast, shares her captivating journey from academia to tech innovation. She discusses how AI is revolutionizing text-to-speech technology, enhancing emotional depth in audiobooks, and addressing ethical challenges like deep fakes. Victoria reflects on innovative applications in user experiences, offers insightful career advice for young professionals, and emphasizes the importance of self-reliance in navigating a rapidly evolving tech landscape.

Are you struggling to maintain a work-life balance while working from home? In this podcast episode, Cameron Herold, a seasoned entrepreneur and author, shares valuable insights on various topics.  From balancing work and family life to the power of vivid vision in growing a business, Cameron provides practical advice and inspiration. Discover how to maintain […]Resources: Subscribe, Rate & ReviewI'd love you to subscribe to the podcast and leave an honest rating & review. This will encourage others to listen and grow as a community.YouTube - Second In Command Podcast - https://www.youtube.com/@secondincommandpodcast YouTube - Cameron Herold Leadership - https://www.youtube.com/@CameronHerold COO Alliance - https://cooalliance.com/ Cameron’s newest book - The Second In Command - https://a.co/d/287lESq Cameron’s Online Leadership Course - https://investinyourleaders.com/ch  Cameron’s Website - https://cameronherold.com/ Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/cameron_herold_cooalliance/ 

Have you ever wondered what it takes to triple the size of a team in just 18 months? Get ready to dive into the world of team building, culture, and exponential growth with Alexa Lowe, COO at Huber Equity Group. In this episode, Cameron Herold talks to Alexa about the incredible journey of Huber Equity […]Resources:Subscribe, Rate & ReviewI'd love you to subscribe to the podcast and leave an honest rating & review. This will encourage others to listen and grow as a community.YouTube - Second In Command Podcast - https://www.youtube.com/@secondincommandpodcast YouTube - Cameron Herold Leadership - https://www.youtube.com/@CameronHerold COO Alliance - https://cooalliance.com/ Cameron’s newest book - The Second In Command - https://a.co/d/287lESq Cameron’s Online Leadership Course - https://investinyourleaders.com/ch  Cameron’s Website - https://cameronherold.com/ Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/cameron_herold_cooalliance/ 

In this episode of the Second in Command podcast, host Cameron Herold engages in a conversation about internal leadership development with a seasoned CEO. The discussion kicks off with the significance of the cultural aspect in business, emphasizing the “why” behind actions. The CEO stresses the importance of creating training videos for consistent and efficient […]Resources:Subscribe, Rate & ReviewI'd love you to subscribe to the podcast and leave an honest rating & review. This will encourage others to listen and grow as a community.YouTube - Second In Command Podcast - https://www.youtube.com/@secondincommandpodcast YouTube - Cameron Herold Leadership - https://www.youtube.com/@CameronHerold COO Alliance - https://cooalliance.com/ Cameron’s newest book - The Second In Command - https://a.co/d/287lESq Cameron’s Online Leadership Course - https://investinyourleaders.com/ch  Cameron’s Website - https://cameronherold.com/ Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/cameron_herold_cooalliance/ 

Have you considered being a successful CEO-COO, sitting in the company’s C-suite line? Do you want to learn how shared values and mentorship can contribute to the success of your bottom line? In this episode of the Second In Command Podcast, we dive into the leadership journey of Peter Chapa. With a nine-year career within […]Resources:Subscribe, Rate & ReviewI'd love you to subscribe to the podcast and leave an honest rating & review. This will encourage others to listen and grow as a community.YouTube - Second In Command Podcast - https://www.youtube.com/@secondincommandpodcast YouTube - Cameron Herold Leadership - https://www.youtube.com/@CameronHerold COO Alliance - https://cooalliance.com/ Cameron’s newest book - The Second In Command - https://a.co/d/287lESq Cameron’s Online Leadership Course - https://investinyourleaders.com/ch  Cameron’s Website - https://cameronherold.com/ Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/cameron_herold_cooalliance/