What if waiting for someone to be "as good as you" is the very thing preventing your business from scaling?
In this episode of Expert In You, host Ann Carden sits down with Dr. Jim Schleckser, CEO of The CEO Project, to explore what it really takes to lead and scale a complex organization.
Jim works with CEOs of companies typically generating $50 million and above, helping leaders navigate the challenges that come with increasing scale, complexity, and organizational responsibility. Drawing from decades of experience running companies and working directly with CEOs, he shares practical insights on leadership, delegation, peer advisory groups, recurring revenue, AI, and the importance of having experienced advisors around you.
One of the most powerful ideas Jim shares is his 70% Rule of Delegation: if someone can perform a task at roughly 70% of your level, delegate it rather than waiting for them to reach 100%. Jim explains why aggressive delegation isn't simply about getting work off your desk. It's a leadership and organizational development strategy that helps your people build capability faster while allowing CEOs to focus on higher-value responsibilities.
In This Episode, You'll Learn:
- The 70% Rule of Delegation and why CEOs often wait too long to delegate
- How delegation can become a powerful tool for developing your people
- Why businesses become dramatically more complex as they scale
- How CEO peer groups can provide perspective and pressure-test major decisions
- Why breakthrough thinking often comes from outside your industry
- How content, books, podcasts, and speaking can build credibility with high-level buyers
- Why Jim's organization moved away from cold outreach toward a content-driven, relationship-based model
- What CEOs are currently thinking about when it comes to AI, efficiency, and business transformation
- Why experienced human judgment still matters when AI can't distinguish between the best answer and a merely acceptable one
- Why CEOs need trusted advisors and why asking for help isn't a sign of weakness
- How a CEO's personal brand should ultimately serve the growth of the organization rather than simply the leader's ego
Key Moments:
00:00 The 70% Rule of Delegation
00:24 Welcome to Expert In You
01:02 How Jim Schleckser Helps CEOs Scale
01:44 Building a Business Operating System for CEOs
02:16 From CEO to Executive Advisor
03:13 Why Real CEO Experience Matters
06:14 How to Attract $50M+ CEOs Without Cold Outreach
09:00 Why Content and Books Build Authority
11:00 How CEO Peer Groups Help Leaders Scale
17:00 What CEOs Are Worried About Right Now
20:00 AI vs. Human Judgment in Business
30:08 The 70% Rule: Delegate Sooner, Develop Faster
31:39 Turning Personal Branding Into Business Growth
33:28 Final Thoughts
Whether you're a CEO, founder, business owner, consultant, or executive leader, this conversation offers practical lessons for moving from doing the work yourself to building an organization capable of operating and growing at a much higher level.
🎧 Tune in now to discover how better delegation, experienced advisors, and stronger leadership systems can help you scale your business without trying to do everything yourself.
About the guest :
Dr. Jim Schleckser is the Founder and CEO of The CEO Project, where he works with leaders of high-growth companies to help them scale more effectively. Over 30 years, he has led global organizations across public and private environments, with his most recent company reaching a $1.6 billion valuation. Today, he and his partners work with more than 125 CEOs whose companies collectively represent nearly $50 billion in revenue and 400,000+ employees. Jim is the author of two best-selling books, including Great CEOs Are Lazy, and his work has been featured in The Wall Street Journal, The New York Times, Time, CNBC, and NPR. He holds degrees in Chemical Engineering, an MBA in Marketing and Finance, and a Doctorate in Business Administration.
How to connect Dr. Jim Schleckser :
Website : https://theceoproject.com/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jimschleckser/
About the host:
Ann Carden is a highly sought-after Business Growth Consultant, Marketing Strategist, and #1 Bestselling Author, with over 41 years of experience helping small businesses, entrepreneurs, and coaches scale their success. As a Professional Speaker and three-time published author, Ann has coached and consulted hundreds of professionals across more than 80 industries.
Why Choose Ann Carden?
With a diverse background that spans over four decades, Ann has developed a deep understanding of what it takes to succeed in business growth, marketing strategies, and entrepreneurship. She spent 13 years in corporate management before launching her own businesses, where she thrived for 35 years. Ann’s entrepreneurial journey began out of financial necessity, and she successfully grew her first business to an international level - even before the Internet era.
Work with Ann Carden
If you're ready to take your business to the next level, Ann offers customized solutions to help you grow. Whether you’re a coach, consultant, or small business owner, Ann’s proven strategies can drive significant growth in revenue and market reach.
Get Free Resources:
➡️ Access Ann's Free Training: www.expertinyou.biz
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