054: Out of Alignment or Fired: My Leadership Story

02/03/25 • 16 min

46 Listeners

In this episode of No Silver Spoons®, host Sarah Beth Herman discusses a defining moment in her career when expressing a feeling of misalignment led to a significant confrontation with her boss. She reflects on the importance of alignment in leadership, emphasizing that true leadership involves understanding and listening to team members rather than demanding compliance. Sarah Beth shares insights on how to promote clear communication, seek mentorship, align with core values, and create a safe space for honest conversations within teams. She concludes with key takeaways about the value of buy-in over obedience and the critical role of engagement in achieving true alignment.
00:00 Introduction: The Stomach-Dropping Boss Call

01:40 A Defining Career Moment

01:48 The Rise in My Career

02:54 Questioning the Dynamics

03:46 The Lunch That Changed Everything

04:55 Realization and Reflection

06:40 Guidance for New Leaders

09:56 The Importance of Alignment

13:09 Final Thoughts and Takeaways

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01:40 A Defining Career Moment

01:48 The Rise in My Career

02:54 Questioning the Dynamics

03:46 The Lunch That Changed Everything

04:55 Realization and Reflection

06:40 Guidance for New Leaders

09:56 The Importance of Alignment

13:09 Final Thoughts and Takeaways

Support the show

Previous Episode

053: Trust the Process: Building a Strong Team and Community

20 Recommendations

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In this episode of No Silver Spoons®, host Sarah Beth Herman dives into the realities of being a small business CEO, emphasizing the importance of clarity, trust, and purpose. She candidly discusses the struggles entrepreneurs face, such as the overbearing need to control everything and the challenge of endless to-do lists. Sarah shares her personal journey of learning to delegate and trust her team, stressing the value of strong training programs and SOPs. She highlights the transformational power of shifting from competition to community, illustrating how collaboration can drive unexpected growth. By embracing the journey, mistakes, and learnings, Sarah underscores how these experiences shape great leadership. Tune in to discover how to focus on what truly matters and build a thriving business by empowering others.
00:00 Introduction: The True Meaning of Being a CEO
01:46 The Grind and the Illusion of Control
03:30 The Importance of Delegation
08:18 Mastering SOPs and Training
11:15 Community Over Competition
14:25 Embracing the Journey and Final Thoughts

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Next Episode

055: Episode 1: Building Authentic Brands | Guest Amy Bartko

16 Recommendations

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In this episode of No Silver Spoons®, Sarah Beth Herman sits down with CEO Amy Bartko, the powerhouse behind Chatterbox PR, to talk about what it really takes to grow a brand—without shortcuts or handouts.

Amy shares her journey from corporate marketing to running her own PR agency, proving that success isn’t about luck—it’s about hard work, strong relationships, and knowing how to get your brand seen by the right people. She’s built a career on helping brands land in the hands of celebrities, influencers, and top-tier media outlets—long before influencer marketing was even a thing.

Here’s what you’ll take away from this episode:

What PR really is (and why you probably need it, even if you think you don’t)
Amy’s PR formula for getting brands noticed (hint: it’s all about visibility, credibility, and profitability)
The truth about entrepreneurship—the sleepless nights, the balancing act, and why grit matters more than anything
The biggest mistakes people make when trying to get media coverage—and how to actually get a journalist’s attention
Why relationships in PR are everything—and how Amy has built a network that gets brands featured in Forbes, Vogue, and on TV

Sarah Beth and Amy also get real about staying true to your vision, especially when the world of marketing and PR is constantly shifting. If you’ve ever wondered how to get your brand in front of the right people or whether PR is just for big corporations—this episode will give you the clarity you need.

🔹 Next Up: Amy is coming back to talk about overcoming branding challenges and what it takes to push through the tough seasons in business.

📌 Want to connect with Amy? Find her on Instagram @amybartko
🎧 Missed something? Listen again at 1.25x or 2x speed and share this with a friend!

This is one of those conversations you’ll want to take notes on—so grab a coffee and get ready to level up your brand the right way.

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No Silver Spoons® - 054: Out of Alignment or Fired: My Leadership Story

Transcript

📍 Have you ever worked for someone and felt like every time they called you into their office, your stomach dropped? Like no matter how well you were doing, there was always that lingering fear that something was wrong. That maybe, just maybe, you weren't meeting some unspoken expectation. If you've ever felt that way, I need you to hear this story.
Because it was a defining moment in my career. One that has stuck with me for nearly a decade. And trust me, you're going to want to hear t