Show Notes
In this episode we discuss: What is a COO's strengths and gaps? We are joined by Divinia Knowles, The COO Coach. Love The Operations Room? Please support us by rating and reviewing it here. We chat about the following: How do COOs turn their knowledge gaps into strengths through experience? What can personality tests like the Enneagram teach us about effective COOs? How do COOs balance servant leadership with the challenges it brings? What’s the secret to building a powerhouse CEO-COO relationship? How can COOs use self-awareness to grow as leaders and advisors?
References https://www.linkedin.com/in/diviniaknowles www.daijo.io www.cooroundtable.com
Biography Divinia Knowles is an accomplished operator and coach with extensive experience supporting startup and scale-up COOs, CEOs, and leadership teams through growth, exit, and beyond. With a career spanning roles as COO, CFO, CEO, and Board Advisor, Divinia has worked with companies like Pact Coffee and Mind Candy, helping scale global brands and drive success. As the founder of the London COO Roundtable, Divinia has built a thriving network for operational leaders. Since 2017, she’s coached over 150 executives, combining advanced coaching accreditation with expertise in organizational psychology, resilience, and team dynamics. To learn more about Beth and Brandon or to find out about sponsorship opportunities click here. Summary 16:42 Exploring COO Strengths and Weaknesses 26:36 Personality Types and Archetypes in Leadership 28:09 The Shadow Side of COOs 29:06 Servant Leadership 30:21 The Relationship Between COOs and CEOs 35:24 Ruminating vs. Acting: Different Leadership Styles 37:24 Embracing Public Speaking and Thinking on Your Feet 39:28 The Ruminator: Processing Information Over Time 41:04 The Caregiver Archetype in Leadership 45:39 Balancing Empathy and Performance Management 47:54 The Nature of Relationships in Leadership 48:44 Directness and Good Intent in Communication 49:33 Embracing Self-Awareness and Personal Growth PubjU2Ffmb2y4RsmnPUc
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