E210 | Shatter the Ceiling Without Breaking Yourself with Jen Coken
Release Date: 01/07/2025
E228 | How to Leverage Ecosystems Thinking to Solve Business Problems
Simplify to Scale Show
What if the root of your team’s challenges isn’t the people, but the system they’re working in? Are you solving problems… or just putting out fires over and over again? In this episode, along with Jessica Maine, we talk about how using an “ecosystem” mindset can change the way businesses solve problems and build stronger teams. We share a clip from one of our live Soul Collective training sessions, where we explain why seeing a business as a connected system helps leaders find the real cause of ongoing issues. With tools like the five whys and the fishbone diagram, leaders can...
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E227 | The Future of High-Impact Marketing with Dawn Ferguson
Simplify to Scale Show
How can brands maintain authenticity and a human touch while leveraging AI tools? What are some practical ways to simplify your content strategy and avoid "shiny object syndrome"? In this episode of Simplify to Scale, I sit down with Dawn Ferguson, a brand and marketing strategist with a passion for helping founder-led businesses shine. Together, we talk about how the marketing landscape is shifting with AI and what really makes a brand memorable in today’s crowded digital space. Dawn shares how showing up authentically and putting a real face to your content can turn casual followers into...
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E226 | The Lean Scaling System Designed for Online Small Businesses
Simplify to Scale Show
What unique challenges do you think each type of business faces when scaling? What does sustainable scaling mean to you, and what are some ways to avoid burnout as your business grows? In this episode, I share a behind-the-scenes look at my lean scaling system, developed from decades of experience working with founders and their right-hand leaders. I highlight the common pitfalls of scaling a business, especially when moving from multiple six figures to seven or beyond, and discuss how sustainable growth is all about making the right shifts in operations, leadership, and systems at the right...
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E225 | It Depends - How to Make the Right Strategic Decisions
Simplify to Scale Show
Is there really one “right” answer when it comes to pricing, hiring, or choosing the next tool for your business? What if the key to scaling your business isn’t doing more—but thinking differently? In this episode of Simplify to Scale, I talk about how important it is to consider context when making business decisions. I explain that there isn’t always one “right” answer—especially when it comes to things like pricing, building a team, or picking new tools.I share real examples from my consulting work to show how asking the right questions can help you find the best path for...
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E224 | Building a Profitable Coaching or Consulting Business with Deb Boulanger
Simplify to Scale Show
What should you focus on first when leaving a corporate job to start your own business? What are some of the identity shifts that entrepreneurs experience when transitioning from corporate to entrepreneurship In this episode of Simplify to Scale show, I talk with Deb Boulanger, CEO of Life After Corporate, about moving from a corporate job to starting your own business. She is a sought-after speaker, business mentor, and thought leader helping high-achieving women leaders successfully transition from corporate careers to profitable coaching and consulting businesses. Deb shares her thoughts...
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E223 | Scalable Growth: The Key to Sustainable Business Success
Simplify to Scale Show
Are you working harder but still feeling stuck in the cycle of never-ending tasks just to keep your business growing? What if scaling your business didn’t mean adding more stress and resources but actually required doing less in a smarter way? In this episode of the Simplify to Scale show, I talk about how businesses can grow in a way that lasts. Growth often looks exciting but can bring challenges and confusion. Many businesses work harder to earn more, but this can require more resources and lead to exhaustion. I explain why it helps to simplify how a business runs to support growth...
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E222 | Why It's So Critical to Simplify to Scale
Simplify to Scale Show
Welcome to Simplify to Scale Show! I’m so excited to introduce this rebranded version of the podcast, where we’re sharpening our focus on what truly matters for sustainable growth: simplification. How can a business ensure it is on the path toward simplifying before scaling? What are some examples of common pitfalls businesses face when they attempt to scale too quickly? Scaling a business isn’t just about getting bigger—it’s about doing so strategically without adding unnecessary complexity that slows you down. Businesses naturally evolve from the "emerge and grow" phase into...
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E221 | Building an A+ Team for Sustainable Business Growth
Simplify to Scale Show
Have you ever struggled to find the right people for your team? Are you wondering how to hire in a way that actually helps you scale instead of slowing you down? In this last episode of Lean Out Your Business, I’m sharing a huge update—I am officially rebranding the podcast! But don’t worry, my mission hasn’t changed. I’m still here to help you simplify operations, scale sustainably, and create a business (and life) you love. This episode is all about hiring—a topic I’m incredibly passionate about, especially as I grow my own team. I walk you through my top hiring...
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E220 | Why Context is Key to Long-Lasting Client Relationships
Simplify to Scale Show
What are some common mistakes businesses make when setting context for clients, and how can these be avoided? Wondering why some businesses effortlessly get glowing testimonials and referrals while others struggle to get noticed? In this episode, I dive into the critical importance of setting context for your clients in every business engagement. While it may seem like common sense, I’ve seen firsthand how gaps in communication can lead to dissatisfaction, lost referrals, and missed opportunities for testimonials. Even when you’re delivering great work, a lack of clarity and visual...
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E219 | Stop Charging What You're Worth - Do This Instead
Simplify to Scale Show
Could the way you talk about pricing be unintentionally limiting your business growth and client relationships? What if shifting your focus from self-worth to client transformation could unlock more sustainable success? In this episode, I dive deep into the commonly used phrases "charge what you're worth" and "get paid what you deserve," uncovering the hidden pitfalls they create in business communication. While these statements may sound empowering, they can actually be misleading and even harmful—both to your personal self-worth and your business brand. I challenge you to rethink how...
info_outlineAs a female leader, how do you continue to advance and shatter the glass ceiling without breaking yourself in the process?
Whether you are a business owner or an executive working within a company, we all hit ceilings, some external and some internal. The key is understanding how to recognize them and break through them in a healthy way.
That's what Jen Coken and I discuss on this week's episode of the Lean Out Your Business Podcast. Jen is an internationally acclaimed Imposter Syndrome expert who empowers women executives in male-dominated industries to lead with more authority, influence, and impact and to be leaders people respect and recognize.
We discuss the growing number of women in leadership roles and why companies must create better pathways for them to succeed. Jen highlights the importance of self-discovery and confidence, encouraging women to know their worth and tackle biased environments head-on.
We share practical tips for overcoming self-doubt and imposter syndrome, such as speaking up, setting personal goals, and balancing work and life. Jen also gives us a sneak peek into her upcoming book and her Executive Presence Accelerator Program, designed to support women in STEM.
This conversation is full of actionable advice for anyone wanting to grow in their career while maintaining their well-being.
"Experiencing imposter syndrome could be a sign that you're playing big or taking risks in your career. Embrace it as a superpower." - Jen Coken
In this episode, we dive into how to shatter the ceiling without breaking yourself including:
- Strengthening your executive presence and influence
- Turning feelings of imposter "syndrome" into your superpower
- What imposter syndrome really is - hint: it's not a syndrome
- What to do when you feel undervalued or invisible
- Navigating biases and external glass ceilings
- Recognizing and breaking internal glass ceilings
- Setting boundaries without feeling guilty
Ready to get out of the day-to-day operations of your business?
A SOL (Strategy + Operations Leader) is the missing link between your vision and results that aren’t dependent on you! Certify your existing right-hand or get support in hiring the right person: https://www.strategicopsinstitute.com/sol
Looking to go deeper and learn how to scale your business sustainably?
OPS ALCHEMY will help you to reclaim your time, increase your impact and profit, and simplify your business as you scale to multiple-7 figures and beyond so you finally get to enjoy the success you worked so hard to achieve. Find out more at: https://www.leanoutmethod.com/opsalchemy
Ready to become a strategic leader who understands how to balance sustainable and scalable growth with operational efficiency?
Join our SOL Collective, an elite and private community for Business Strategists and Operational Leaders who advise and support founders in scaling their businesses. Learn more at https://www.strategicopsinstitute.com/collective
Have questions? Want to explore partnering together to scale your business? Connect with me on my personal Instagram @cristagrasso or LinkedIn and let’s start a conversation.
If you loved this episode, please help us spread the word and reach more business owners like you by leaving a 5-star rating and review. Hit subscribe to be the first to listen to new episodes each Tuesday.
For full show notes and more visit https://www.leanoutmethod.com/podcast