Second in Command: The Chief Behind the Chief with Cameron Herold

What if your next breakthrough isn’t more hustle, but ruthless focus on what actually matters?
Scott Levy, Founder and CEO of ResultMaps, joins Sivana Brewer for a candid, zero-fluff conversation on why most CEOs and COOs are drowning in distraction and what separates “second in command” leaders who skyrocket growth from those stuck grinding. They pull apart why ambitious teams spiral into task overload, the critical metrics every department truly needs, and the battle-tested rituals that free up your brain for high-stakes decisions.
Ready to step off the treadmill of constant fires, endless meetings, and “yet another platform” promises? This episode exposes the cost of delay and throws you a direct path out, real systems, real clarity, real results. If you wait, you risk another year of burnout and missed breakthroughs. Press play now for inside strategies unavailable anywhere else.

Timestamped Highlights
[00:54] – Why “good” content became too dangerous for Speaker A to binge (and what that reveals about focus)
[02:09] – The real operations heartbreaks hidden behind entrepreneurial success stories
[07:09] – Why small teams will devour giants in the AI revolution (the Special Forces lesson nobody teaches MBAs)
[10:34] – The shockingly simple hack for bypassing bloated CRMs and running your pipeline on autopilot
[12:02] – How to extract a Vivid Vision in 30 minutes—no trust falls required
[16:13] – “Eff your feelings, follow the plan?” Dissecting the truth (and limits) of systemizing emotional chaos
[26:52] – The fatal flaw of cascading goals—and what truly separates winners from burned-out operators
[44:36] – The raw moment CEOs finally break—and why some refuse to suffer the same mistakes twice

About the Guest
Scott Levy is the Founder and CEO of ResultMaps, a cutting-edge SaaS platform designed to help founders and leadership teams obliterate operational friction, scale clarity, and get real results. With a background spanning management consulting, software, and building systems for high-growth companies, Scott’s passion is turning entrepreneurial chaos into decisive execution. He’s especially known for integrating technology and coaching with powerful simplicity.
🔗 LinkedIn | Website

Mentioned Resources
Leila Hormozi
Grok (AI tool)
Figma
Cole Gordon/Closers.io
https://www.linkedin.com/in/cole-gordon/
EOS (Entrepreneurial Operating System)
OKRs (Objectives and Key Results)
GrowRev
John Humphrey, Connect Points framework
Tony Robbins
Apple
Tesla (re: Grok in-car integration)

About the Co-Host
Sivana Brewer is a Fractional COO for Remote Teams and former COO at Closers.io, where she helped scale the company to multiple eight figures and built over 500+ sales teams in just 2.5 years. She specializes in leadership development, remote operations, and systems that empower teams to grow sustainably.
🔗 Connect with Sivana on LinkedIn

Important Links
Connect with Cameron: Website | LinkedIn
Explore the COO Alliance - The World’s Leading Community for Seconds in Command
Get Cameron’s book: Second in Command: Unleash the Power of Your COO Book
Take his course: Invest In Your Leaders Online Course (Use promo code PODCAST10 before the end of the month for 10% off)
Chat or video call with AI Cameron via Delphi

The Second in Command Podcast is an original production hosted by Cameron Herold. Brought to you by COO Alliance. Production and editing by Podcast Your Brand.

Are you overwhelmed by nonstop chaos, endless stakeholder demands, or the fear you’ll break while scaling up? This episode delivers urgent answers for every COO, integrator, and senior ops leader pushing to get their head above water.
Cameron Herold sits down with Kelly Knight, President and Integrator of EOS Worldwide, for a rare, candid look at the systems and mindset that power explosive growth and keep organizations aligned when everything feels impossible. Kelly lifts the curtain on EOS’s real role in revolutionizing the “second in command” function, gives you her hard-won playbook for winning over visionaries, and exposes how elite integrators preserve culture, even through private equity takeovers and seismic business model shifts.
Stop guessing and start winning. Listen now to avoid burnout, grab proven EOS secrets, and finally align your team before something breaks. These insights are exclusive, actionable, and you won’t hear them anywhere else.

Timestamped Highlights
[00:00] – Chaos or clarity? How EOS aligns human energy when everything’s changing
[00:02:41] – Why most “second in command” titles are missing the mark (and where EOS fits in)
[00:03:27] – The system for managing human energy that built a raving fandom
[00:07:14] – Inside the “VI Duo”—the secret sauce that powers badass leadership teams
[00:10:11] – One killer meeting rhythm that keeps visionaries and integrators in lockstep
[00:13:02] – From outsider to integrator: Kelly’s surprising first 90 days and the mistake even top COOs make
[00:17:03] – Private equity chaos? How Kelly realigned 27 stakeholder groups and survived
[00:27:01] – Navigating massive change: Candid truths about communication, relationships, and earning trust
[00:29:44] – Why EOS failed at software and the power of doubling down on your “hedgehog”

About the Guest
Kelly Knight is the President & Integrator of EOS Worldwide, the pioneering force behind Entrepreneurial Operating System®. Known for her expertise in scaling operations, leadership development, and stakeholder alignment, Kelly has guided EOS through private equity acquisition and global expansion. She regularly mentors visionary-operator duos around the world, helping them navigate change and build lasting company culture.
🔗 LinkedIn | Website

Mentioned Resources
Traction (book)
Rocket Fuel (book)
Kolbe (assessment)
Strategic Coach (Dan Sullivan)
1-800-GOT-JUNK
ninety.io (software partner)
Verne Harnish
Firefly Group (private equity)
Basecamp (training resource)
StrengthsFinders
Myers-Briggs
ChatGPT
Grok

Important Links
Connect with Cameron: Website | LinkedIn
Explore the COO Alliance - The World’s Leading Community for Seconds in Command
Get Cameron’s book: Second in Command: Unleash the Power of Your COO Book
Take his course: Invest In Your Leaders Online Course (Use promo code PODCAST10 before the end of the month for 10% off)
Chat or video call with AI Cameron via Delphi

The Second in Command Podcast is an original production hosted by Cameron Herold. Brought to you by COO Alliance. Production and editing by Podcast Your Brand.

What if you could transform a team of rookies into high-performing, loyal leaders and stay sane in the process?
This episode delivers an unfiltered look inside the mind of Richard Comitz, Chief Operating Officer of American Corporate Partners, a West Point PhD and retired Army Lieutenant Colonel now leading one of America’s most mission-driven nonprofits. He sits down with Narrator to unpack the proven discipline, radical transparency, and mentorship strategies he honed in combat and now deploys to scale an 80-person organization serving over 5,000 mentorships nationwide.
Want to dodge burnout, ignite next-gen talent, and finally get your CEO partnerships working for—not against—you? Listen now. Skip it, and you risk getting buried by the next Ops crisis. This is an urgent, inside-access episode you won’t find anywhere else.

Timestamped Highlights
[00:00] – The leadership power move that made junior staff instantly trust Richard Comitz
[00:04:12] – Why a PhD, combat zones, and organic chemistry are COO superpowers (and how higher ed nearly cost him)
[00:08:48] – How to “inherit” a role from a founder without clashing or caving
[00:13:05] – The secret architecture behind training 60+ brand-new hires (and spotting future all-stars fast)
[00:15:53] – Shocking truths of what actually works to fight young-employee burnout and what never does
[00:19:30] – Hidden mentorship hacks that win powerful partners in Fortune 500s
[00:23:16] – Does military “figure it out” energy work with Gen Z? The raw reality from the field
[00:37:26] – Navigating founder-CEO rigidity and pitching bold new ideas (without ending up fired)

About the Guest
Richard Comitz is the Chief Operating Officer of American Corporate Partners (ACP), a powerhouse nonprofit connecting U.S. veterans and military spouses with Fortune 500 mentors for next-level careers. A retired Army Lieutenant Colonel, West Point organic chemistry instructor, and experienced higher education COO, Comitz is celebrated for turning disciplined military leadership into explosive organizational growth in both the public and nonprofit sectors.
🔗 LinkedIn | Website

Mentioned Resources
Peter Attia (podcast, health and nutrition)
Andrew Huberman (Huberman Lab, neuroscience podcast)
Jocko Podcast by Jocko Willink (Extreme Ownership, Navy SEAL leadership lessons)
Joe Rogan Experience (podcast)
Extreme Ownership by Jocko Willink (book)
West Point (U.S. Military Academy)

About the Co-Host
Sivana Brewer is a Fractional COO for Remote Teams and former COO at Closers.io, where she helped scale the company to multiple eight figures and built over 500+ sales teams in just 2.5 years. She specializes in leadership development, remote operations, and systems that empower teams to grow sustainably.
🔗 Connect with Sivana on LinkedIn

Important Links
Connect with Cameron: Website | LinkedIn
Explore the COO Alliance - The World’s Leading Community for Seconds in Command
Get Cameron’s book: Second in Command: Unleash the Power of Your COO Book
Take his course: Invest In Your Leaders Online Course (Use promo code PODCAST10 before the end of the month for 10% off)
Chat or video call with AI Cameron via Delphi

The Second in Command Podcast is an original production hosted by Cameron Herold. Brought to you by COO Alliance. Production and editing by Podcast Your Brand.

What if the difference between scaling up and burning out comes down to just one overlooked decision you make today?
In this exclusive Second in Command episode, Cameron Herold sits down with Jon McNeill, former President of Tesla and COO of Lyft, and current CEO and Co-Founder of DVx Ventures, for a bold, eye-opening deep dive into the raw realities of being second in command at companies that redefine entire industries.
You’ll hear battle-tested lessons on navigating visionary founders, eliminating organizational bloat, and building operating systems that drive exponential growth, plus what most leaders get dead wrong about innovation, hiring, and execution at scale.
If you crave real-world playbooks and not more recycled platitudes, hit play now. Miss this conversation and risk falling into the same chaos that sinks even the greatest companies. Listen today to steal field-proven COO frameworks you won’t hear anywhere else before your competition does.
Timestamped Highlights
[00:03:16] – The $108 million mistake: why Jon McNeill turned down Uber and Tesla before they became giants
[00:07:22] – From Bain to boardrooms: how Cameron Herold went from $1.8B to $20B in 30 months
[00:14:49] – What it really feels like to drop into Tesla’s leadership team—no roadmap, only chaos
[00:17:04] – The pivotal moment Cameron Herold broke the rules at Tesla and why Elon Musk said “You’ll fit right in”
[00:21:09] – The “Big Thing” meeting—the deceptively simple method Cameron Herold stole from Facebook’s top minds
[00:26:43] – How to push back (and win) with the world’s most demanding CEO
[00:36:11] – The ruthless self-topgrading system that kept Tesla lean—could you survive it?
[00:47:11] – Tesla’s “Algorithm” revealed: the counterintuitive systems any leader can steal

About the Guest
Jon McNeill is the former President of Tesla and COO of Lyft, a renowned serial entrepreneur, and current CEO and Co-founder of DVx Ventures. Recognized for multiplying company valuations and pioneering operational mastery at the world’s most innovative companies, Jon now empowers founders and operators to scale with speed and discipline. His latest book, The Algorithm, reveals the operating system behind Tesla’s success and is quickly becoming a must-read for growth-focused leaders.
🔗 LinkedIn | Website

Mentioned Resources
Tesla
Lyft
Bain & Company
Bain Capital
Andreessen Horowitz
1-800-GOT-JUNK
Facebook (Mark Zuckerberg, Sheryl Sandberg)
Uber (Travis Kalanick, Garrett Camp)
Tim Ferriss
SolarCity (Pete Reeve, Lyndon Rive)
College Pro Painters
SpaceX
Salesforce
YPO
Queen’s University
Hard Thing About Hard Things (Ben Horowitz – book)
Good to Great (Jim Collins – book)
Insanely Simple (Ken Segall – book)

Important Links
Connect with Cameron: Website | LinkedIn
Explore the COO Alliance - The World’s Leading Community for Seconds in Command
Get Cameron’s book: Second in Command: Unleash the Power of Your COO Book
Take his course: Invest In Your Leaders Online Course (Use promo code PODCAST10 before the end of the month for 10% off)
Chat or video call with AI Cameron via Delphi

The Second in Command Podcast is an original production hosted by Cameron Herold. Brought to you by COO Alliance. Production and editing by Podcast Your Brand.

Ever wonder why some COOs scale businesses to legendary heights while others get swallowed by chaos and politics?
If you’re craving clarity, confidence, and uncommon edge in your second-in-command role, this Fan Favorite episode is your wake-up call. Cameron Herold sits down with Matt MacInnis, COO of Rippling and co-founder of Inkling, for a raw, actionable conversation about the real challenges behind hyper-growth, hiring, trust, and culture. They dig into what makes the COO role so “special,” how to build a game-changing flywheel, and why patience, precision, and authenticity are the ultimate power moves.
The pain of “going it alone” is real. Tune in to learn how to avoid disaster, dodge politics, and harness proven tactics you won’t find in any business book. Don’t wait until burnout bites. Listen now for fiercely exclusive COO insights, bold truths, and systems that will let you scale smarter, not harder.

Timestamped Highlights
[00:02:22] – The hidden pain in HR, IT, and how Rippling breaks the “original sin” of bad data
[00:05:55] – Why Matt almost walked away—then got schooled by Parker’s contrarian “rocket ship” logic
[00:08:30] – The untold power of preexisting trust between CEO and COO—and what happens if you hire without it
[00:12:49] – Topgrading secrets: Why most executive hiring fails and how to get it right (even when everyone says they’re an “A player”)
[00:15:44] – Copilot dynamics: How Matt and Parker run the company with surprisingly little contact (and why it works)
[00:19:18] – Should you debate the CEO in front of the team? The cathartic, risky art of public disagreement
[00:23:13] – Inside Rippling’s flywheel advantage—what Salesforce, Facebook, and Brex did differently and why you can too
[00:31:04] – Killing bureaucracy and politics: The simple rule for hiring and process that most leaders ignore
[00:39:29] – The brutal, proven formula for layoffs: What Sequoia teaches (and how to survive the “survivor’s guilt”)

About the Guest
Matt MacInnis is the Chief Operating Officer of Rippling, a revolutionary all-in-one HR and IT platform transforming how businesses scale and manage people. Matt was also the co-founder and CEO of Inkling, a mobile learning platform that raised over $100M before its acquisition. With deep roots at Apple and a Harvard engineering degree, Matt blends big-company brilliance with entrepreneurial firepower. He’s known for breaking boring business norms and igniting hyper-growth, all while refusing to tolerate politics, inefficiency, or shallow executive hiring.
🔗 LinkedIn | Website

Mentioned Resources
Inkling
Apple
Harvard
Parker Conrad (Rippling CEO)
ADP
Gusto
Dropbox
Slack
Workday
Okta
Brex
Marketo
Salesforce
Sequoia
Kleiner Perkins
Brad Smart (Topgrading) | Topgrading (book)
Who (book) | Geoff Smart (Who)
Elad Gil | The High Growth Handbook

Important Links
Connect with Cameron: Website | LinkedIn
Explore the COO Alliance - The World’s Leading Community for Seconds in Command
Get Cameron’s book: Second in Command: Unleash the Power of Your COO Book
Take his course: Invest In Your Leaders Online Course (Use promo code PODCAST10 before the end of the month for 10% off)
Chat or video call with AI Cameron via Delphi

Note: This Fan Favorite episode is a recast of one of our most impactful interviews, still packed with insights for second-in-command leaders. Whether it’s your first listen or a revisit, there’s timeless value inside.

The Second in Command Podcast is an original production hosted by Cameron Herold. Brought to you by COO Alliance. Production and editing by Podcast Your Brand.