The CEO Project Podcast

Could your business keep running if you stepped away for 30 days without a phone? If that question makes you uncomfortable, it may be time to rethink how much of the organization depends on you. In this episode of The CEO Project Podcast, Jim Schleckser welcomes Ari Meisel, founder of Less Doing, to explore how CEOs can scale a business while doing less themselves. Ari shares his optimize, automate, and outsource framework to reduce routine work and help leaders focus on the responsibilities only they can fulfill. Discover why effective delegation requires clear outcomes and decision-making authority, how to turn personal expertise into repeatable processes, and where AI agents can take administrative work off your team's plate. Ari Meisel shares examples involving grant applications, bookkeeping, recruiting, and executive support, showing how automation can create more room for relationships, creativity, and strategic thinking. Listen to How to Scale a Business While Doing Less with Ari Meisel for practical ways to reduce dependence on the CEO and build a more capable organization. Start by listing 20 tasks you regularly perform, then consider which ones you could optimize, automate, or hand off over the next three months. Check out: [03:00] Identify the work you should stop doing: Ari introduces his "ultimate KPI": list 20 recurring tasks, then plan to remove 16 from your workload within three months through optimization, automation, or outsourcing. [08:05] Delegate with authority, not just instructions: Learn why handing off unwanted tasks often fails, and how clear outcomes, decision boundaries, and escalation rules help people take ownership. [19:41] AI agents handling real operational work: Ari shares how he uses agents for grant applications, bookkeeping, recruiting, marketing, and executive support, freeing people to focus on higher-value work. About Ari Meisel Ari Meisel is the founder of Less Doing and a leading expert in productivity, systems design, and AI-powered operations. He helps CEOs and entrepreneurs optimize, automate, and outsource their workloads — so they can focus exclusively on what only they can do. A bestselling author and in-demand speaker, Ari has worked with thousands of business leaders to build leaner, smarter organizations.

Are you chasing AI without a clear picture of the problem you need to solve? Before investing in another tool or application, identify the constraint holding your business back and how technology could help remove it. In this episode of The CEO Project Podcast, Jim Schleckser explores AI, app development, and process automation with Ghazenfer Mansoor of Technology Rivers. They discuss why technology projects often struggle because of unclear direction, misunderstood customer needs, or insufficient planning, even when the coding is sound. Discover how to move from chasing AI to building solutions around real business needs. Learn why testing prototypes with customers can reduce costly rework, where technical expertise remains essential, and how examining manual workflows can uncover bottlenecks you did not realize existed. Jim and Ghazenfer also explore opportunities in internal knowledge systems, predictive analysis, and automation, along with the importance of human review. Listen to Stop Chasing AI – Use Technology to Break the Constraint for practical ideas on turning technology investments into business improvements. Then ask yourself: What is the biggest constraint in your business, and have you defined it clearly enough to build the right solution? Check out: [04:02] Why technology projects fail before the coding begins Ghazenfer explains why clear direction, customer needs, and the problem you're solving matter more than simply building a technically strong application. [06:00] Test the experience before building the full application Learn how blueprints, user flows, and AI-powered prototypes help teams gather feedback and reduce costly rework. [17:46] Stop chasing AI and find the real constraint Jim and Ghazenfer discuss how examining workflows can reveal unexpected bottlenecks, and why solving one constraint often exposes the next. About Ghazenfer Mansoor Ghazenfer Mansoor is the CEO of Technology Rivers, a software development firm recognized in Washington, D.C. for creating AI-powered solutions, innovative SaaS products, and HIPAA-compliant healthcare technologies. He helps startups and service businesses scale faster, automate processes, and build technology that drives real-world impact. As the author of Beyond the Download: How to Build Mobile Apps That People Love, Use, and Share Every Day, he shares practical insights and proven strategies to help app developers and entrepreneurs build mobile apps that not only acquire users but keep them engaged and growing. In addition to being a thought leader and speaker, Ghazenfer hosts the Lessons from the Leap podcast, where he uncovers the bold decisions, failures, and breakthroughs that shape entrepreneurial success.

AI can multiply your company's output, but it can also multiply its dysfunction. As CEOs explore AI intelligence, the real challenge is building the judgment, culture, and leadership needed to turn greater capacity into growth. In this episode of The CEO Project Podcast, Jim Schleckser welcomes executive coach Maximos Lih, founder of Emboldened LLC, whose experience includes recruiting engineering talent at Google and supporting founders at Google Ventures. Together, they explore why scaling requires leaders to move beyond personal heroics and build systems that help people make good decisions without relying on the CEO for every answer. Discover why strong performers and people with strong judgment are not always the same, and why that distinction matters when deploying AI intelligence. Jim and Maximos discuss values-based decision-making, hiring for adaptability and humility, and rethinking how employees are rewarded as AI expands their capabilities. They also explore how reinvesting time and capacity in employee development and new services can create opportunities beyond cost savings. Check out this episode for a people-centered perspective on leading through change. Then ask yourself: What can your business do today that was impossible six months ago, and how are you helping your people make it happen? Check out:  [03:00] Why founders must change before their companies can scale: Maximos explains how early-stage heroics can become a liability, and why adding AI without improving leadership can amplify dysfunction. [24:00] Build AI around people with strong judgment: Learn why your highest performers may not be the right people to guide AI, and why buying greater capacity does not automatically create business value. [30:00] Reinvesting the AI dividend in people and growth: Maximos shares an IKEA example of reskilling customer service employees for interior design, prompting a bigger question: What can AI make possible beyond cost savings? About Maximos Lih Maximos Lih is an Executive Coach and founder of Emboldened LLC, where he helps small teams scale without losing their edge, and leaders grow with purpose and trust. His leadership philosophy was shaped by his grandfather—a self-taught orphan who became a four-star general—who taught him that true greatness is measured by how you make people feel. After immigrating to the U.S. and graduating from UC Berkeley, Maximos joined Google, where he specialized in recruiting top engineering talent before moving to Google Ventures. There, he guided hundreds of founders through rapid growth, witnessing companies like Uber and Flatiron Health scale at remarkable speed. Today, he draws on those experiences to coach the next generation of leaders in building mission-driven, high-performing teams.

What business constraint is holding your company back? Smart CEOs are exploring how AI can remove bottlenecks, free up valuable time, and help their teams focus on the work that drives growth. In this episode of The CEO Project Podcast, Jim Schleckser welcomes Ray Meiring, CEO and founder of QorusDocs, to discuss practical ways to put AI to work. From streamlining proposals and RFP responses to reducing sales administration and accelerating financial analysis, Ray shares how AI can support better business performance while keeping people at the center. Discover why the biggest opportunity goes beyond saving time. Smart CEOs reinvest that capacity in stronger customer relationships, more compelling proposals, and higher-value activities. Jim and Ray also explore three priorities for adoption: establish privacy and security guardrails, select a low-risk use case with meaningful value, and carry successful experiments through to everyday use. Throughout the conversation, they emphasize the continuing importance of human judgment, trust, and leadership. Listen now for a practical perspective on getting started. Then identify one bottleneck in your business where AI could help your team spend less time on administration and more time delivering value. Check out: [16:00] Practical AI applications for sales and finance: Ray shares how AI can reduce administrative work, accelerate analysis, and give teams more time for customer relationships and decision-making. [19:00] Turning time savings into better business results: Discover why smart CEOs reinvest the capacity AI creates into strategic selling and stronger proposals to improve win rates. [21:00] Three priorities for successful AI adoption: Ray explains why leaders should establish security guardrails, choose a low-risk, high-value use case, and follow through beyond the proof of concept. About Ray Meiring As CEO and co-founder of QorusDocs, Ray Meiring leads a team of passionate problem solvers to create award-winning customer experiences. Under Ray's leadership, QorusDocs supports a customer base that includes over 150 of the world's largest tech & professional services firms.  These firms generate proposals worth billions of dollars through the QorusDocs solution. QorusDocs helps bid, proposal, business development, marketing and sales teams craft visually compelling, accurate and secure proposals and RFP responses more efficiently. With more than 25 years of industry experience, Ray is a frequent speaker, author, and webinar host on a wide variety of topics including leadership, market strategy, automation and the application of AI, and proposal automation for professional bid and business development teams.

Business growth takes more than a great product. It takes strong teams, thoughtful reinvestment, and a CEO willing to evolve alongside the company. Are you building the capabilities your business needs for its next stage of growth? In this episode of The CEO Project Podcast, Jim Schleckser welcomes Drew Allen, President and CEO of Grace Technologies, to discuss building strong teams and reinvesting for success. Drew shares how a costly product launch failure changed his approach to customer validation, engineering capabilities, and product development. Learn why Drew hires curious, adaptable people who can work across disciplines, and how that approach reduces handoffs and helps ideas reach customers faster. Discover how reinvesting in employee skills, prototyping tools, and manufacturing capabilities supports growth. Jim and Drew also explore how strong teams benefit from leaders who remove bottlenecks, welcome feedback, and approach challenges with greater resilience. Listen to the full episode for practical lessons you can apply to your business. Consider where an investment in your people, tools, or capabilities could remove a barrier to growth. Check out: 05:00 | A $450,000 lesson in customer validation: Drew shares how a failed product launch changed his approach to testing demand before committing money and engineering time. 08:00 | Reinvesting in people and tools: Learn how upskilling engineers and bringing prototyping capabilities in-house helped Grace develop products faster. 26:00 | Building strong teams with adaptable generalists: Drew explains how people who work across disciplines can reduce handoffs and accelerate development, with specialists refining the results. About Drew Allen Drew Allen is the President and CEO of Grace Technologies, Inc. Under his leadership, Grace has become a recognized leader in electrical safety and predictive maintenance solutions. Drew is passionate about building intelligent technologies that protect lives, optimize industrial operations, and help facilities achieve zero downtime and zero harm.  He is also the founder of Maple Studios, an industrial venture studio that helps early-stage companies scale from prototype to production. Drew believes in empowering the next generation of industrial innovators through collaboration, entrepreneurship, and a belief that the world needs better leaders. 

Is your marketing making promises that your business isn't delivering? Jim Schleckser welcomes author, speaker, and agency founder Ron Tite to explore how CEOs can connect purpose, strategy, and marketing through his Think Do Say framework. Ron explains why purpose needs a clear connection to how a company makes money, grows, and serves its customers. Discover how to turn your company's beliefs into actions employees can own and messages customers can trust. Jim and Ron also discuss using AI to improve insights and creative thinking, choosing marketing channels with intention, and maintaining quality as content becomes easier to produce. Listen to the episode for a practical approach to aligning what your company believes, what it does, and what it says. Check out: 06:00: Use AI to improve your thinking. Ron explains how better insights and personalization can help businesses create stronger marketing. 19:00: Connect purpose to everyday action. Ron shares a practical framework for linking company beliefs to business decisions and individual employee roles. 26:00: Keep your creative standards high. Jim and Ron discuss judging AI-assisted content by its quality and using human judgment to improve the final result. About Ron Tite Ron Tite is a former ad executive turned founder, speaker, author, and comedian — and when it comes to marketing and brand strategy, few people bring the depth of experience he does. As founder and CSO of Church+State, a top Canadian creative agency, Ron has spent his career challenging the conventions of traditional advertising — creating work that entertains, earns attention, and drives real business outcomes. Before that, he led creative at some of the biggest global agencies in the world. He is the bestselling author of Think Do Say, The Purpose of Purpose, and Everyone's an Artist, and a globally in-demand keynote speaker who has spoken for companies like RBC, Microsoft, and American Express. His unique blend of strategic thinking, creative leadership, and real-world application makes him the perfect guide for anyone ready to stop guessing and start growing with clarity and confidence.

Effective exit planning prepares you for more than the transaction by protecting your financial future, personal identity, and sense of purpose after the business is sold. In this episode of The CEO Project Podcast, host Jim Schleckser speaks with Nate Collins, a former CEO, financial advisor, and Certified Exit Planning Advisor who successfully sold his family business to a private equity-backed media company. Although the sale exceeded expectations financially, Nate explains why he did not initially consider it a successful exit. He shares the mistakes he made before and after the transaction, from assembling the wrong advisory team to failing to prepare for the emotional realities of no longer owning the company. You'll learn how to: • Assemble experienced legal, financial, tax, and M&A advisors • Begin planning early enough to identify tax-saving opportunities • Define success using personal, professional, and financial goals • Build a financial plan before negotiating the transaction • Prepare for the loss of identity, purpose, community, and authority that can follow a sale • Evaluate the risks associated with earn-outs • Create a meaningful next chapter before leaving the company • Strengthen the business so it is prepared for a planned or unexpected transition Nate also explains why strong exit planning should focus on purpose, community, and health in addition to valuation. A profitable transaction alone does not guarantee that the owner will feel secure, fulfilled, or ready for what comes next. Listen to learn how exit planning can help you build a more valuable company, avoid costly mistakes, and move into your next chapter with greater financial clarity and personal confidence. Check out: 5:42: Why a profitable business sale is not always a successful exit 17:36: The emotional consequences of selling a company without preparing for life afterward 27:48: Why earn-outs can limit an owner's control, flexibility, and ability to move forward About Nate Collins Nate is a former CEO who managed a successful exit to a large, PE-backed media company. He now works with a limited number of business owners, CEOs, and their families to help ensure they are achieving their financial goals. As a Financial Advisor and Certified Exit Planning Advisor, he provides in-depth business exit and financial planning, as well as investment management. Nate helps owners optimize their businesses' value and transition into the next chapter.

Elevating humanity through business starts with creating value for employees, customers, communities, and owners rather than treating profit as the only measure of success. In this episode of The CEO Project Podcast, host Jim Schleckser speaks with Dan Simons, co-owner of Founding Farmers Restaurant Group, about building a profitable, mission-driven business in one of the most demanding industries. Dan shares how Founding Farmers grew from a partnership with North Dakota family farmers into a group of sustainably operated restaurants, a distillery, and a catering company. He also explains why supporting employees through difficult moments is not separate from business performance but an essential part of achieving it. You'll learn how to: • Build a people-first culture without sacrificing profitability • Turn employee support into greater loyalty and lower turnover • Create clear development paths that help employees advance • Use failure as preparation for future opportunities • Support family farmers through responsible sourcing • Adapt training and advancement for a changing workforce • Balance fair wages with the economic realities of running a business • Practice conscious capitalism by considering every stakeholder Dan also shares why elevating humanity is not simply an idealistic mission. When employees feel supported, valued, and equipped to succeed, they create more value for themselves, their customers, and the company. Listen to discover how thoughtful leadership, employee investment, and conscious capitalism can turn business into a force for elevating humanity while still delivering sustainable growth and strong financial performance. Check out: 8:52: How a partnership with North Dakota family farmers led to Founding Farmers 15:48: Why investing in employees creates loyalty, lowers turnover, and improves performance 28:36: How conscious capitalism can make business a force for elevating humanity About Dan SImons Dan Simons is regarded as a leading voice in mission-driven business practices, known for championing people-centric culture and responsible industry standards while developing systems that deliver profitability. He and his partner, Michael Vucurevich, are Co-Owners of Founding Farmers Restaurant Group in partnership with the North Dakota Farmers Union. Their goal is to generate profits for American family farmers, earn farmers a larger share of the food dollar, and influence the sourcing decisions of suppliers and others in the hospitality industry. They operate eight sustainably run restaurants, one DC-based distillery, and a full-service catering and event design company. He teaches courses at The George Washington University, hosts a podcast (Founding DC), and sits on the advisory boards of the DC chapter of Conscious Capitalism, OpenTable, and the Health Action Alliance Women's Health at Work Program. He blogs at www.DanSimonsSays.com and can be found across most social channels @DanSimonsSays. Dan Simons is Co-Owner of Founding Farmers Restaurant Group, which operates eight sustainably run restaurants, one DC-based distillery, and a full-service catering and event design company. A leading advocate for mission-driven business, he champions people-first culture and responsible industry standards while driving profitability.

Working Genius helps leaders understand the work that gives people energy, the work that drains them, and how to build more effective teams around those differences. In this episode of The CEO Project Podcast, host Jim Schleckser speaks with Patrick Lencioni, bestselling author, leadership expert, and founder of The Table Group. Patrick explains the six types of Working Genius and how each contributes to moving an idea from its earliest stage through successful execution. He also discusses vulnerability, team dynamics, CEO burnout, and why leaders should stop trying to excel at every kind of work. You'll learn how to: • Identify the work that energizes you and the work that creates frustration • Understand the six geniuses of Wonder, Invention, Discernment, Galvanizing, Enablement, and Tenacity • Build a leadership team that fills critical gaps rather than replicating your strengths • Match the right people to the right roles • Structure meetings around the type of work that needs to happen • Prevent one person's strengths from disrupting the team's progress • Use vulnerability to create greater trust and collaboration • Examine whether your motivation for leadership is service or personal reward Patrick also explains how Working Genius complements his other leadership models by helping CEOs get the right people on the bus, place them in the right seats, and then build a cohesive team. Listen to discover how Working Genius can help you reduce frustration, prevent burnout, improve teamwork, and ensure that every stage of the work receives the energy and talent it needs. Listeners can also receive 20% off the Working Genius assessment at workinggenius.com by using the discount code CEO. Check out: *]:pointer-events-auto R6Vx5W_threadScrollVars scroll-mb-[calc(var(--scroll-root-safe-area-inset-bottom,0px)+var(--thread-response-height))] scroll-mt-[calc(var(--header-height)+min(200px,max(70px,20svh)))]" dir="auto" data-turn-id= "request-WEB:a733370d-cbfe-44d7-bb47-b4fedd5e0208-15" data-turn-id-container= "request-WEB:a733370d-cbfe-44d7-bb47-b4fedd5e0208-15" data-testid= "conversation-turn-30" data-turn="assistant"> 9:12: How Patrick Lencioni developed the Working Genius model 12:46: The six types of Working Genius and how they move work from idea to completion 21:18: How CEOs can use Working Genius to build more balanced leadership teams   _:empty]:hidden"> About Patrick Lencioni Patrick Lencioni is the pioneer of the organizational health movement and one of the world's foremost experts on leadership and teamwork. As an author, speaker, consultant, and CEO of The Table Group, Pat has spent the last 25 years shaping the organizational health movement by helping leaders develop cohesive teams and engaged employees. With his signature mix of inspiration, humor, storytelling, and no-nonsense practicality, Pat has spoken to millions of leaders at national and global conferences and is consistently the top-rated keynote speaker at major events. Whether he's addressing Fortune 500 companies, professional sports organizations, government agencies, non-profits, schools, or churches, Pat's down-to-earth nature and insightful concepts are sure to resonate. The world's foremost expert on organizational health and teamwork, Patrick's books have sold more than 6 million copies, and his work has been featured in Fortune, USA TODAY, Bloomberg Businessweek, Forbes, and Harvard Business Review, to name a few.  

Soft leadership styles can help CEOs build trust, increase accountability, and create healthier teams without sacrificing performance. In this episode of The CEO Project Podcast, host Jim Schleckser speaks with visionary entrepreneur, inventor, and movement leader Staci Wright about how workplace expectations are changing and why traditional leadership models are struggling to keep up. Staci explains how trust, collaboration, emotional intelligence, and psychological safety can replace rigid command-and-control leadership. She also discusses why compassionate leadership must still include clear expectations, honest feedback, and accountability. You'll learn how to: • Build trust without abandoning performance standards • Create psychological safety while maintaining accountability • Recognize how stress affects decision-making and productivity • Support employee wellbeing without becoming responsible for employees' personal lives • Address a struggling or toxic workplace culture • Measure cultural progress through retention, feedback, and employee behavior • Use soft leadership styles to create healthier, more resilient teams Staci also introduces a new way to think about organizational structure. Instead of placing leaders at the top of a pyramid, she describes them as the roots of a tree, creating the conditions employees need to thrive and the business needs to produce results. If your team is experiencing burnout, turnover, distrust, or declining performance, the answer may require more than another employee benefit or team-building exercise. Listen to this conversation to learn how soft leadership styles can help you build a culture where people feel supported, accept accountability, and perform at their best. Check out: 6:35: Why adding compassion to an old command-and-control model can cause performance to decline 11:48: How leaders can create psychological safety while maintaining accountability 23:42: Three steps for repairing a stressed or toxic workplace culture About Staci Wright Staci Wright is a visionary entrepreneur, inventor, and movement leader whose work centers on social impact and the power of business to create meaningful change. With over 20 years of experience, she has founded multiple companies, secured 28 patents, and led ventures that blend innovation, humanity, and purpose. Across all of her work, the common thread is a commitment to building businesses that serve people, strengthen communities, and support inner and collective transformation. Known for her heart-led leadership and systems-level thinking, Staci believes business can—and must—be a force for healing, sustainability, and hope.