Ep. 501 - Unlock Success with Soft Skills: The Secret to Transformational Leadership

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

In today's episode of the Second in Command podcast, Cameron challenges conventional thinking about what it truly means to build a high-performing team.

Rather than focusing on surface-level credentials or generic systems training, he dives deep into the often-overlooked soft skills that make or break leadership effectiveness—beginning with the critical, yet frequently neglected, art of interviewing. Drawing from his own experience scaling teams at a massive pace, he shares how operational excellence starts with equipping leaders with real training—not just theory—so they can spot who has genuinely done the work, not just learned how to talk about it.

You'll learn how most organizations get stuck teaching people what they do instead of how to do it well, missing out on key elements like situational leadership, delegation, and coaching. Using memorable real-world stories and a few surprising truths, Cameron reveals how misjudging candidates, confusing traits like hard work with tenacity, or using the wrong people to interview for the wrong roles can sabotage a company’s potential. He even flips the org chart—literally—to illustrate a leadership mindset grounded in support rather than control.

Whether you're scaling a company, hiring your next team member, or trying to sharpen your leadership edge, this episode offers a refreshing perspective on the soft skills that power high-performance cultures. It will make you rethink how you train, who you trust to interview, and what it actually takes to spot a top performer.

Want your team to master the 12 essential leadership skills? Check out the Invest In Your Leaders training program. If you've enjoyed this episode of the Second in Command podcast, be sure to leave a review and subscribe today!

Enjoy!

In This Episode You'll Learn:

• The importance of training for the interview process and why such training is essential.

• The common mistake companies make, training on the what and how rather than the why.

• The “torque process,” which involves running a series of one-on-one interviews and cross-referencing ratings.

• The 12 core skills that are essential for effective leadership, and why at least nine or ten of them cannot be replaced by AI.

• The challenges of hiring salespeople and why they often do not pass HR screening due to their unconventional methods.

• And much more...

Resources:

Connect with Cameron: Website | LinkedIn

Get Cameron’s latest book – "Second in Command: Unleash the Power of Your COO"

Get Cameron’s online course – Invest In Your Leaders

Disclaimer:

The views, information, or opinions expressed during this podcast are solely those of the individuals involved and do not necessarily represent those of The Second in Command podcast or its affiliates. The content provided is for informational and entertainment purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for professional advice. We make no representations as to the accuracy, completeness, suitability, or validity of any information on this podcast and will not be liable for any errors, omissions, or delays in this information or any losses, injuries, or damages arising from its display or use. Listeners should consult with a professional for specific advice tailored to their situation. By accessing this podcast, you acknowledge that any reliance on the content is at your own risk.