In this episode of the Free Agent Podcast, Beau welcomes Deb Coviello, the “CEO Whisperer” and “Drop-in CEO,” known for her expertise in guiding CEOs and businesses through challenging times. Deb, a podcast host and author, explains her unique role, highlighting how she stabilizes and elevates leaders by providing off-the-record support and insights, differentiating herself from typical fractional leadership.

Deb discusses her book, The CEO’s Compass, which aids CEOs in realigning their businesses when they lose direction, and mentions her upcoming book, Secrets of the C Suite, aimed at aspiring leaders looking to increase their impact. She shares her journey from corporate life to becoming a drop-in CEO, emphasizing the importance of leveraging her extensive experience to provide immediate value.

The conversation delves into fractional leadership, where temporary leaders are brought in to address specific business needs. Deb illustrates how fractional leaders can act as “smoke jumpers” or “SEAL Team 6,” quickly assessing situations and implementing effective solutions. She emphasizes the importance of elevating people within organizations, ensuring roles match capabilities, and supplementing with the right resources. Deb shares an example of helping a company achieve a crucial certification by realigning roles and enhancing leadership capabilities.

Beau and Deb discuss the common issue of CEOs waiting too long to seek help, leading to crisis situations. Deb advises recognizing early signs of trouble and proactively seeking external expertise to prevent escalation. The episode concludes with Deb providing her contact information and encouraging listeners to reach out via her website, DropInCEO.com, where they can also find links to her books and podcast.

Key takeaways from the episode include the importance of early intervention to prevent major issues, the necessity of prioritizing people management for long-term success, and the benefits of hiring experienced fractional leaders for immediate, impactful solutions in times of need.