The Operations Room: A Podcast for COO’s

It’s been a whirlwind of a season!In this special wrap-up episode, Bethany and Brandon look back on the last ten weeks of The Operations Room — the highlights, lessons, and chaos that shaped Season 2 — and share a sneak peek of what’s coming in Season 3.We reflect on:What it really feels like to step into a CEO role (and why it’s lonelier than expected).The intensity of leading through change — and learning to switch off when the buck stops with you.The balance between growth, leadership, and staying human.The power (and pain) of performance reviews done right.Why our next season will dive deep into AI, leadership, and rethinking operational strategy.Plus, we reveal our guest line-up for Season 3 — including returning favourites like Keith Wallington and Cameron Herold, and new voices exploring AI, sales, and the future of strategy.Love The Operations Room? Please support us by rating and reviewing it here.You can also share your guest suggestions — one slot left for next season!Summary00:00 – Welcome and season recap02:00 – Bethany’s first 90 days as CEO07:30 – The reality of responsibility and loneliness at the top11:50 – Brandon’s reflections on scaling a high-growth team15:40 – Lessons from performance and salary reviews20:00 – What’s coming next: AI, leadership, and puzzles vs OKRs26:00 – Behind the scenes: planning the next season28:00 – Our Substack To learn more about Beth and Brandon or to find out about sponsorship opportunities click here. This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Podcorn - https://podcorn.com/privacy

In this episode we discuss: AI employees. We are joined by Matt Lhoumeau, Cofounder & CEO at ConcordLove The Operations Room? Please support us by rating and reviewing it here.We chat about the following with Matt Lhoumeau: How do you balance the need for structure with the chaos of fast-growing operations?What happens when marketing becomes a true conversation rather than a one-way message?Why are standards and expectations so critical to building trust in a growing team?How can leaders create clarity without stifling creativity?What’s the real difference between being busy and being effective?References https://www.linkedin.com/in/mattlhoumeau/https://www.concord.app/https://eu1.hubs.ly/H0lMWln0Biography Matt Lhoumeau is the CEO and co-founder of Concord, the leading provider of AI-powered Agreement Intelligence solutions. With over a decade of experience transforming how businesses manage contracts, Matt helps operations leaders unlock strategic value from their agreements and turn contracts from cost centers into profit drivers.To learn more about Beth and Brandon or to find out about sponsorship opportunities click here. Summary04:05 – AI tools and operational leadership.08:05 – The power of systems thinking in AI bots12:01 – Using AI to challenge you15:16 – AI-first mantra19:40 – Legal department AI substitutes22:36 – Being a systems owner24:30 – ChatGPT as a therapist27:37 – Using AI to evolve and be durable31:34 – How tools and frameworks are used over time.34:58 – The balance between AI and human intervention35:19 – Evolving with AI37:05 – The right inputsThis podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Podcorn - https://podcorn.com/privacy

In this episode we discuss: What scale up founders go through. We are joined by Jonny Burch, Designer turned Founder. Love The Operations Room? Please support us by rating and reviewing it here.We chat about the following with Jonny Burch: How can rethinking the office itself completely change how people connect, collaborate, and feel part of a company?What happens when leaders stop managing people — and start designing environments where people can do their best work?Is your company culture something you say — or something you can feel when you walk through the door?What’s the real cost of ignoring the “unwritten rules” that shape how your team communicates and collaborates?How do you balance flexibility, belonging, and performance when your team is spread across screens and cities?References Https://linkedin.com/in/jonnyburchHttps://jonnyburch.comhackweeks.comtoy.studiofoundupnorth.comBiography Jonny Burch is a designer and exited founder exploring AI through a product lens. He scaled Deliveroo’s consumer design team and went on to found Progression, a platform focused on skills, personal development, and career growth. After raising over $6M from US and UK investors and successfully exiting in 2024, he's now taking time to reflect, supporting teams with AI adoption at hackweeks.com as well as incubating future products under his personal software practice toy.studio. To learn more about Beth and Brandon or to find out about sponsorship opportunities click here. Summary06:30 – Maximizing time as a CEO08:30 – Office culture and space design10:30 – The CEO Roundtable Retreat17:00 – Building trust as a COO and CEO19:30 – Force multipliers and structure21:00 – Why growth makes CEOs feel disconnected22:30 – The SaaS Flywheel and diagnosing business health26:30 – Delegation done right27:30 – Becoming the CEO30:00 – The emotional weight of leadership31:45 – How leadership changes your brain32:30 – The paradox of influence and isolation33:30 – Knowing your limits34:30 – Lessons for leaders36:00 – Final reflectionsThis podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Podcorn - https://podcorn.com/privacy

In this episode we discuss: How storytelling can get you what you want. We are joined by David Pullan, author, speaker, coach, and gold miner.Love The Operations Room? Please support us by rating and reviewing it here.We chat about the following with David Pullan: How can leaders use storytelling to make their ideas unforgettable?What makes a message stick in people’s minds long after the meeting ends?Why do leaders often overlook the importance of how they communicate, not just what they say?How can storytelling build trust and psychological safety within teams?What practical steps can leaders take to transform everyday communication into moments of influence?References https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-pullan-4b0619a/www.thestoryspotters.comBiography David Pullan and his wife and business partner, Sarah Jane McKechnie, first met in a rehearsal room over thirty years ago and have been collaborating ever since. From acting alongside Shirley MacLaine, performing for Henry Kissinger, and filming in the former Yugoslavia (with Robert Downey Jr dancing on the table), to cooking a chicken live on stage, their careers have been defined by spotting, shaping and sharing stories in unexpected ways.Together, through their company The Story Spotters, they draw on their backgrounds as performers, coaches, scriptwriters and hypnotherapists to help clients master the communication moments that matter. Their book, The DNA of Engagement, offers a story-based approach to building trust and influencing change in today’s noisy corporate world.To learn more about Beth and Brandon or to find out about sponsorship opportunities click here. Summary00:14:40 – Why stories matter more than facts00:17:37 – Meeting people where they are00:20:23 – How stories help ideas stick00:23:04 – A leader’s process for shaping communication00:28:27 – Common mistakes leaders make with storytelling00:31:07 – Switching gears: the role of vulnerability00:36:26 – How authenticity shapes perception00:39:13 – Balancing emotion and logic in leadership stories00:42:03 – Why psychological safety is essentialThis podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Podcorn - https://podcorn.com/privacy

In this episode we discuss: Resilience in Organisations. We are joined by Aušrinė Keršanskaitė, Co-founder of Operations Nation.Love The Operations Room? Please support us by rating and reviewing it here.We chat about the following with Aušrinė Keršanskaitė: How can leaders tell the difference between true resilience and simply powering through burnout?When is “just-enough process” better than perfect systems in a growing company?Which of the five types of resilience—optimistic, stoic, pragmatic, active, or existential—do you rely on most at work?What happens when imposter syndrome hits even the most experienced operations leaders—and how can you use it to grow?Why might learning to walk away from the wrong role or battle be the most resilient decision of all?References https://www.linkedin.com/in/ausrinewww.operationsnation.comBiography Aušrinė Keršanskaitė is a seasoned operations leader, community builder, and connector at heart. With over a decade of hands-on experience guiding startups from scrappy pre-seed beginnings to thriving Series B stages, she knows firsthand what it takes to build strong foundations and empower people along the way.For the past five years, Aušrinė has been the driving force behind Operations Nation, a community-powered knowledge hub that connects and empowers hundreds of operations leaders around the world. Operations Nation offers a safe, supportive space for ops professionals to share advice and “ops war stories,” helping each other survive, grow, and thrive in their careers.A firm believer that operations is the backbone of every great company, Aušrinė combines her operational expertise with a deep passion for bringing people together and building community wherever she goes.To learn more about Beth and Brandon or to find out about sponsorship opportunities click here. Summary05:00 — Balancing speed versus sustainability in scaling operations11:00 — Timing back-office investments and compliance readiness15:00 — Re-orgs, structural resilience, and organizational adaptability17:00 — Introduction to the Five Types of Resilience framework21:00 — Deep dive into each resilience type with personal stories28:30 — Imposter syndrome and trusting your gut as a leader33:00 — Redefining success and boundaries in operations roles37:00 — Shared vulnerability and leadership resilience39:30 — Final takeaway: putting your own oxygen mask on firstThis podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Podcorn - https://podcorn.com/privacy