Host Dan Cooper sits down with Curt Sampson, Head of Growth for Monarch Inventory Services and Growth Catalyst at Acumen, to explore the intricate relationship between CEOs and COOs. As these roles are often referred to as the 'visionary' and 'integrator,' understanding their dynamic is crucial for business growth and success.
Curt shares insights from his diverse career, starting from his days with large corporations like Hallmark and Newell Rubbermaid to his journey as a consultant and entrepreneur. He delves into the importance of aligning visions, executing strategies, and maintaining healthy tension between the CEO and COO to drive business forward.
The discussion touches on the significance of communication, setting clear objectives, and the role of core values in achieving alignment. Whether you're a CEO considering the need for an operator or a COO navigating your position, this episode offers valuable takeaways on building a successful leadership team.
0:06 - 0:19: Dan introduces the Sharpen Podcast, and his guest Curt Samson, Head of Growth for Monarch Inventory Services and now a Growth Catalyst leading a C-Suite team in Kansas City. The focus of the episode is the relationship between CEOs and COOs, often referred to as "integrators."
0:53 - 1:07: Curt thanks Dan and briefly introduces himself, starting with his career path.
1:09 - 3:48: Curt shares his journey from working at large corporations like Hallmark Cards, Newell Rubbermaid, and Avery Dennison, often in roles aimed at incubating new projects. He explains how his experience in big business, focusing on improving operations, led him to small business consulting and growth roles across various industries. He emphasizes his interest in both growing businesses and developing people.
4:01 - 4:20: Curt talks about how careers often don’t go as initially planned and how his career evolved.
4:23 - 5:15: Dan brings up the role of the COO, describing it as one that is often misunderstood and varies based on the CEO's needs. Curt agrees and notes that the relationship between CEO and COO varies across different organizations. He shares his experiences filling both roles and reflects on the unique dynamics between CEOs and COOs in different businesses.
5:46 - 7:03: Curt introduces a clock-based operating model for business:
7:15 - 9:07: Curt discusses a consulting project where he worked for a visionary CEO who wanted to grow the bison meat industry. The CEO had a grand vision for the business but no clear strategy for execution. Curt applied his operational expertise to bring the vision to life by leveraging innovation from other industries.
9:11 - 10:04: Dan highlights Curt’s idea of including the owner or CEO at the center of the business model. Curt shares a story about working with a self-made billionaire and the challenges of aligning vision and execution.
10:23 - 12:14: Curt recounts a situation where he was focused on growing a business through sales, including selling a healthier hot dog at Wrigley Field, but later learned that the owner's primary goal was to teach his grandchildren entrepreneurship. This misalignment in vision led to missed opportunities, emphasizing the importance of clearly understanding the CEO's objectives.
12:21 - 13:12: Curt stresses the importance of alignment between CEO and COO, noting that vision and strategy must be clearly articulated to avoid misdirection.
13:17 - 14:52: Curt shares his take on managing "vision creep" and staying aligned to core objectives. He recommends using tools like quarterly goals or OKRs (Objectives and Key Results) to focus on execution and measure progress. He emphasizes the COO's role in maintaining accountability and ensuring that the business sticks to its strategic priorities.
15:01-15:32: Curt emphasizes the importance of being proactive in leadership by focusing on essential tasks, referring to the "rocks" or key objectives. This approach prevents leaders from reacting to distractions, a common issue for visionaries and CEOs. Regular reviews, such as annual and quarterly evaluations, help maintain focus.
15:42-16:59: Curt discusses alignment within a company. CEOs worry about whether their teams understand their goals, while COOs focus on understanding their own alignment with the CEO. He stresses that execution is easier when alignment is prioritized and suggests leaders take the pulse of their teams to ensure everyone is on the same page.
17:00-18:06: Communication is the key to alignment, Curt explains. Town halls, monthly meetings, and frequent discussions reinforce company values and ensure everyone is working toward key objectives. He highlights the need for transparency in communicating progress toward goals.
18:07-20:12: Curt talks about the importance of healthy tension between CEOs and COOs (or visionaries and integrators). Disagreements are natural and necessary, as long as they lead to better business decisions. Humility is crucial in these roles to ensure that credit doesn’t matter as much as the business’ success.
20:13-22:17: Curt advises CEOs on recognizing when they need an operator (COO) and how to identify the right fit. He explains that compensation can be structured in multiple ways, emphasizing that alignment between the CEO and COO is key for growth.
22:34-24:16: Curt discusses whether it's better to have a COO with narrow expertise or broad experience. He favors breadth, especially in small businesses. He shares an example from his experience in product development, where he partnered with a strategic client to create profitable new products by understanding the client’s needs.
24:17-27:40: Key takeaways from the conversation:
27:41-29:14: Curt shares a resource that inspires him, the Three Minute Reset podcast by Patrick Lencioni. He emphasizes the importance of being a lifelong learner. Curt wraps up by promoting his new team initiative for key executives and operators in Kansas City, encouraging listeners to reach out to him or learn more through the Acumen Impact website.