Right hand, strategic operator, or number two? 🤔


Hi Reader,

I have a favor to ask:

I'm developing theories about how people in a specific role type might self-identify. It's tricky, because there are a bunch of disciplines and role types that these folks are found in, so this is a more psychographic question than demographic.

Is this you (at work)(or someone you know or work with)?

✨ Your role is a mix of air traffic control, people-ing, strategy support and thought partnership, and rolling up your sleeves and getting it done (and facilitating others doing the same).

✨ You're a clutch player who the leader turns to when something big needs to be wrangled.

✨ Your discipline is often (but not always) in operations, HR, strategy or in program management or change management.

✨ Your title and org level may vary, but sometimes this job is formal (e.g. as a chief of staff) and sometimes not.

If so, what do you call yourself in that capacity?

I'd love to hear your two-part answer... first, you'll likely tell me your job title... but if you had to go deeper than your job title, how else would you self-identify?

👉 If something comes to mind, please hit reply and let me know.

👉 If nothing comes to mind, you can check out a poll I just posted on LinkedIn or Threads and weigh in there.

I've been struggling with how to reach that person for quite awhile, and I've tried a few times to land on something that works -- but am still struggling. (Even though -- or maybe especially because -- I've been that person for a lot of my career.)

Thank you in advance, and I'd love your shares on this one (either forward this email, or pass along one of the social links) to try to get out of my current bubblel!

P.S. The content roundup for this week is: I got inspired last weekend to try creating a Thinkydoers episode from my phone as a quick, lower production thing, and I'm happy with the speed and result ... so check out my Thinkydoer Short on the viral TikTok trend, "October Theory." Also, Dr. Alice Rizzi joined me for a conversation about mindfulness for overthinkers and perfectionists, and it's a good one!

No-BS OKRs + Career Fulfillment for Rebelutionary Leaders and Thinkydoers

I help changemaker leaders, teams, and other Thinkydoers understand their strengths, increase their quantifiable impact, and become fulfilled in their careers (without masking or mind-reading). My "how?" Accessible, efficient approaches to strategy creation, alignment, and operationalizing for goal achievement, with a special focus on Objectives and Key Results (OKRs). The approaches I coach and teach today build on well-honed expertise leading adult learning, instructional design, marketing, creative strategy and strategic operations at some of the world’s largest enterprises, and in public sector and political roles. In my individual coaching work via Thinkydoers, I help people who are "wired differently" (or otherwise "not from Leadership Central Casting") build authentic, rewarding careers as the leaders of change our world needs today. When not working with Red Currant Collective, my "other life" is in professional motorcycle racing. 🏍️

Read more from No-BS OKRs + Career Fulfillment for Rebelutionary Leaders and Thinkydoers
In front of a background image of my office, I'm sitting in a sofa looking sideways at the camera. Copy overlay reads: Pre-launch book preview read by Sara! With a copy of the book cover for "You Are A Strategist: Use No-BS OKRs to Get Big Things Done," w

Hi Reader, Ever been told you’re “too analytical” or that you “overcomplicate things?" Or the flip side -- have you heard or thought: "You/I need to be more strategic." You may also be a leader who's given that feedback... or, heard in your employee surveys that people don't know what's expected of them, or how their work aligns to your strategy. "Does my work even matter?" is a red-flag question for leaders and staffers alike. In today’s Thinkydoers episode, I’m sharing a live reading of the...

Hey Reader, You know that feeling when you can see exactly how things could work better, but turning those insights into reality feels like pushing a boulder uphill? I’ve spent years developing frameworks that help people like us—the deep thinkers, the square pegs, the ones who see patterns others miss—transform our strategic vision into measurable impact. Previously, those frameworks have been available to my corporate clients and a small number of invited individual participants. For the...

A woman with brown hair is sitting at a desk next to a laptop, facing the camera. Her head is flopped down on her desk. The copy reads: "When business is anything bus usual."

Hi Reader, For some of you reading, this week may be business as usual. For the rest of us, this week in American politics marks a significant shift in the landscape we operate in. You may be reeling with fear or uncertainty about the implications for your life and work. Frankly, I'm in the second camp. To be prepared for any outcome, I'd architected two different business plans for the last several months: One based on business as usual, And another based on the potential for significant...