E230 | Practical Strategies for Building a High Performing Self-Led Team
Release Date: 05/27/2025
E240 | How the Visionary + Operator Duo Is Evolving in the Future of Ops
Simplify to Scale Show
What really happens behind the scenes when a visionary founder and their right-hand try to scale a business together? What would happen in your company if you suddenly had to cut operational roles? Would you have a strategy in place, or would chaos quickly follow? In this episode of the Simplify to Scale Show, I welcome my right-hand, Jessica Maine, for an engaging conversation about the dynamic between visionary founders and their essential operational support. Together, we explore how the future of operations is shaped by the unique collaboration between visionaries and the right hands who...
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E239 | Branding That Builds Trust and Drives Sales with Emily Paulsen
Simplify to Scale Show
What makes a brand stand out and truly grow with your business over time? How can you build trust faster in an evolving marketplace? In this episode, I have the pleasure of sitting down with Emily Paulsen, a Brand Growth Expert and the Founder of Electric Collab. We explore how to build a cohesive brand ecosystem that grows alongside your business. After 14 years working in brand and marketing for well-known companies from Abercrombie & Fitch and The Wendy’s Company to startups and small businesses, Emily started Electric Collab to help leaders own their individuality and scale their...
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E238 | Your Right-Hand Person's Role in Scaling Your Business
Simplify to Scale Show
How would your business change if your operational leader helped co-create your strategy rather than just implementing it? In this episode, I focused on the future of operations and operational leadership, sharing how your right hand person can help you scale your business simply and sustainably. I broke down the three core pillars of the Lean Scaling System: sustainable success, operational excellence, and scalable growth. I explained how your right hand leader supports you, not just by handling day-to-day tasks, but by co-creating strategy, optimizing systems across the business, and truly...
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E237 | The Future of Operations is Strategic - Key Shifts for Scalable Growth
Simplify to Scale Show
Are you wondering how operational leadership is transforming in today’s fast-moving market? Curious about the growing impact of AI on business teams and hiring decisions? In this episode, I kick off a special series about the future of operational leadership, sharing key market changes and what businesses need to focus on for sustainable growth this year and beyond. I highlight the shift from traditional operations to a more strategic approach, describing how strategic thinkers and systems-minded leaders are vital for scaling. We talk about the rising importance of right-hand team members...
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E236 | What to Do When Your Business No Longer Needs You with Kris Plachy
Simplify to Scale Show
What happens when your business no longer needs you every day? How do you reinvent yourself after reaching all your entrepreneurial goals? What if there’s more waiting for you beyond your CEO title? In this episode, I sit down with Kris Plachy, the coach you call when success doesn’t feel as satisfying as it should! Kris has spent decades helping powerhouse women build empires, and now helps them figure out what to do after that. Through intimate coaching experiences and her signature Sage approach, Kris helps women strip away roles, expectations, and shoulds to uncover what they truly...
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E235 | Letting Go of Guilt When Your Business Needs to Change
Simplify to Scale Show
Have you ever felt guilty about stepping back from your business commitments, even when you know you're making the right choice for yourself or your family? How do you handle that tension between professional obligations and personal needs? In this heartfelt episode of Simplify to Scale, I open up about a period of personal and professional upheaval following my dad’s health crisis and passing. I share how these life events interrupted my routines and forced me to step back from my business, including my long-standing podcast and other commitments. This experience offered unexpected lessons...
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E234 | How to Set Up Your Business to Run Without You
Simplify to Scale Show
What would happen in your business tomorrow if you had to step away today? Is your team truly ready to take charge, or are there hidden gaps holding them back? In this special episode of Simplify to Scale, Jessica and Annie talk about what it takes to keep a business running when the founder or a key leader has to step away. They focus on how important it is to build trust within the team and with clients. They also talk about planning ahead by creating clear processes, sharing responsibilities, and keeping communication open. They use real examples to show how teams can step in and...
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E233 | Becoming a New Era Millionaire with Kim Woods
Simplify to Scale Show
What if the key to thriving as a millionaire in today’s world isn’t more hustle, but deeper alignment? Are you leading your business with soul, or stuck in outdated strategies that no longer serve you? In this episode I sit down with Kim Woods, to talk about what it takes to truly thrive as a millionaire in the new era, blending business strategy with intuition and soul alignment. She is New Era Millionaire Maker and her mission is to help you live your soul mission and usher you into the New Era. Kim combines her 25+ years of C-Suite business growth strategies with the ancient wisdom of...
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E232 | How to Build a Referral System That Brings in Great Clients
Simplify to Scale Show
What unique or creative referral ideas could you implement in your own business to stand out and stay memorable in your industry? Are your referrals driven by genuine advocacy, or by what's in it for them? In this episode, I shared insights on building a strong referral system that truly works. I talked about how referrals remain one of the most powerful ways to grow your business, especially as traditional selling methods slow down. I explained the importance of understanding whether someone refers you for the love of you or for the love of themselves. This means knowing who truly advocates...
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E231 | Voices from the Messy Middle: How Teams Drive Stability When Scaling
Simplify to Scale Show
What does it really take for a team to stay aligned and motivated when everything feels uncertain in the “messy middle” of scaling a business? As a founder, are you being transparent enough to make your team feel seen and valued, or are they navigating change in the dark? In this episode, we explore what it really means for teams to navigate the “messy middle” when a business is scaling. Sharing honest personal experiences, we talk about the challenges and growth that happen as teams work through transitions, shifting roles, and new goals. We highlight the importance of transparency...
info_outlineAre you curious about how a true high performing team can help you break free from daily operations and focus on bigger business goals? What would change for your business if every team member took inspired ownership and worked together toward a shared vision?
In this episode of Simplify to Scale, I take you behind the scenes of my CSOO certification program and share insights on building a high-performing, self-led team. I talk about the difference between having a group of talented individuals and creating a team that truly works together toward a shared vision and goals. You’ll learn why hiring the right people is just one piece of a much bigger picture, and how team structure and collective ownership are essential to getting founders out of the day-to-day.
During the episode, I walk through strategies and real examples from my training sessions, breaking down the ecosystem approach that allows teams to fully align, communicate, and take inspired ownership of outcomes. I highlight how a true high performing team doesn’t just operate individually but works as a unit, with each member committed to the overall success of the business. I also share tips on empowering your team to self-organize and collaborate without constantly needing direction.
Don’t forget to subscribe, leave a review, and join me next week for more strategies to help your business thrive.
In this episode, I discuss:
• Building a High Performing and Self-Led Team
• The Myth and Reality of Self-Led Teams
• The True Path to Founder Freedom
• CSOO Certification Program
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?
SIMPLIFY TO SCALE 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/scale
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.