At Second First, we hear this all the time from seconds-in-command: “I’m running the company. I’m making the decisions. I’m keeping the team on track… but I don’t feel seen.” It’s a hard feeling to name, but it’s real. You’re essential to the business, yet your impact is often invisible.

This invisibility shows up in two ways. First, your contributions don’t always get recognized, because smooth operations and prevented crises rarely make headlines. And second, you may feel like no one at work truly knows you as a person. It’s a strange loneliness: surrounded by people all day, yet carrying the sense that the “real you” isn’t visible.

You'll hear all about:

• 00:28 — The paradox of being a second-in-command: running operations yet feeling unseen.

• 01:16 — Two dimensions of invisibility: lack of recognition for contributions and not being known personally.

• 01:43 — Why your best work often feels invisible: preventing crises, aligning teams, and acting as the "glue."

• 02:40 — How wins get attributed to others—and why that’s by design for team development.

• 03:15 — Why founders struggle to articulate your value (and the absence of formal reviews).

• 04:04 — The emotional toll: loneliness, wearing a mask, and feeling like no one knows the “real you.”

• 05:07 — Why this matters: the cycle of over-communicating, second-guessing, or retreating into tactical work.

• 06:28 — Three strategies to feel more seen:

  1. Work Out Loud — Track and share decisions and their impact.

  2. Think Out Loud — Make your strategic thinking audible in meetings.

  3. Personal Value Statement — Create a one-sentence mission for your role.

• 10:41 — A mindset shift: some of your best work will always be invisible—and that’s part of your power.

• 11:19 — Combatting loneliness: finding peers who understand your role through community.

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Links mentioned in the episode:

• Second First Retreat September 16-17
• Second First Membership
• Second First One-on-One Coaching
• Second First on Instagram
• Second First on LinkedIn
• Megan Long on LinkedIn

In this short but powerful solo episode, Megan Long addresses the all-too-familiar excuse: “I’m too busy.” Whether you're putting off professional development, skipping strategic planning, or just stuck in back-to-back meetings, it’s time to ask what that busyness is really costing you. This is a pep talk for every second-in-command who’s running on fumes—and a reminder that making time for yourself is a leadership skill, not a luxury. You'll hear all about:

01:30 – The mastermind retreat in Nashville and what people are saying about why they “can’t go”

02:09 – The real cost of saying “I’m too busy”

• Common trap: saying no to opportunities that would help you grow

• EOS implementer insight: teams are skipping Rocks because of day-to-day chaos

03:14 – The pandemic slowdown vs. the current pace of business

• Remembering daily 2pm walks—and why they feel impossible now

• Just being busy doesn’t mean you’re making an impact

04:15 – 3 reflection questions to reclaim your time and direction:

1. When was the last time you invested in your own growth?

2. When was the last time you asked for something you want at work?

3. When was the last time you created space to think about your future?

05:00 – Selflessness is admirable—but it shouldn't mean self-neglect

• Entrepreneurs don’t want their right-hand leaders burning out

• Make the second half of the year count for you

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If you haven't already done so, follow the podcast to make sure you never miss a value-packed episode.

Links mentioned in the episode:

• Second First Retreat September 16-17
• Second First Membership
• Second First One-on-One Coaching
• Second First on Instagram
• Second First on LinkedIn
• Megan Long on LinkedIn

Before you chase aggressive growth targets, you have to ask yourself a hard question: Is your business actually ready to scale?

We work with leaders every day who are stuck in the messy middle: growing revenue while cash gets tighter, roles get blurrier, and the founder still has a hand in every decision. In this week’s episode of The Right-Hand Roadmap, Megan Long walks through five common problems that must be fixed before you scale. From cash flow visibility to repeatable sales processes and reducing founder dependency, this episode is your growth-prep checklist.

Growth can’t be powered by vision alone. It takes clarity, systems, and some financial truth-telling to make growth possible. If your 2025 plan is off track, or if you're leading through a pivot, this episode will help you assess what to fix now (and what you can build mid-flight).

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If you haven't already done so, follow the podcast to make sure you never miss a value-packed episode.

Links mentioned in the episode:

• Episode #49: The Lead-Gen Blueprint for SMBs & Perfecting an Outsourcing Partnership with Cindy Dodd
• Second First Membership
• Second First One-on-One Coaching
• Second First on Instagram
• Second First on LinkedIn
• Megan Long on LinkedIn

What’s the difference between being the “best” in your industry and being the only one of your kind? In this episode, bestselling author and street strategist Alex M H Smith joins Megan Long to break down the myths of business strategy. If you’re a COO or second-in-command trying to steer your company toward a clear, scalable, and profitable future, this conversation is your shortcut. Learn how to avoid the trap of generic positioning, unlock strategic leverage, and bring a real strategy to the table.

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If you haven't already done so, follow the podcast to make sure you never miss a value-packed episode.

Links mentioned in the episode:

• Alex's LinkedIn
• Basic Arts Website
• "No Bullsh*t Strategy" Book
• Second First Membership
• Second First One-on-One Coaching
• Second First on Instagram
• Second First on LinkedIn
• Megan Long on LinkedIn

In this episode, Megan Long sits down with Kimeran Johnson, COO of Nexus Point, to dive deep into how executives can offload the right work, reclaim their time, and scale their companies using offshore virtual assistants. Kimeran shares practical delegation frameworks, red flags to avoid when outsourcing, and best practices for building trust and engagement with remote team members. Whether you're overwhelmed or trying to unlock new growth, this conversation offers a step-by-step approach to making your first or next VA hire successful.

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If you haven't already done so, follow the podcast to make sure you never miss a value-packed episode.

Links mentioned in the episode:

• Kimeran's LinkedIn
• Nexus Point Website
• Second First Membership
• Second First One-on-One Coaching
• Second First on Instagram
• Second First on LinkedIn
• Megan Long on LinkedIn

In this special 50th episode, host Megan Long reflects on the hard-won wisdom gathered from years of working as (and with) Seconds-In-Command at founder-led companies. She shares 50 rapid-fire lessons she wishes she could give her younger executive self, ranging from mindset shifts and leadership tactics to strategic guidance and personal boundaries. If you’re navigating the complex and rewarding role of COO or integrator, this episode will speak directly to your experience.

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If you haven't already done so, follow the podcast to make sure you never miss a value-packed episode.

Links mentioned in the episode:

• Second First Membership
• Second First One-on-One Coaching
• Second First on Instagram
• Second First on LinkedIn
• Megan Long on LinkedIn

In this episode, Megan Long interviews Cindy Dodd, the powerhouse COO and cofounder of PEMA.io, an Inc. 5000 B2B appointment-setting firm. Cindy breaks down the most common lead generation mistakes, shares how to hold outsourced vendors accountable, and reveals the revenue planning process that helps her team scale with confidence. Whether you're managing a sales team, overseeing growth initiatives, or just trying to help your CEO hit ambitious targets, Cindy delivers clear, practical advice every Second-In-Command needs to hear.

You'll hear all about:

• 02:07 – How PEMA.io helps entrepreneurial businesses

• 03:08 – The biggest mistake entrepreneurial companies make with lead gen

• 04:52 – What to do when you’ve been placed over sales with no sales experience

• 05:26 – The difference between delegation and abdication

• 06:00 – How to get ROI from outsourced marketing and sales partners

• 07:20 – How to vet lead gen vendors (hint: demand proof, not promises)

• 08:24 – The importance of aligning expectations with partners

• 09:12 – Leading vs. lagging indicators in outbound sales

• 10:28 – Lessons learned from client delivery and expectation management

• 12:11 – Why having a strong internal sales process is critical for outsourced partnerships

• 14:04 – What COOs should focus on to scale their business in 2025

• 16:12 – How to set realistic revenue goals based on data (not CEO wishes)

• 18:33 – Why quarterly reviews with your sales team help spot and replicate what’s working

• 19:51 – Cindy’s backstory: from Johannesburg to asset management to entrepreneurship

• 21:57 – The ups and downs of cofounding a business with your spouse

• 23:52 – Sneak peek at Cindy’s expert session for Second First members

• 25:29 – Where to find Cindy online and get her free resources

• 26:14 – Free downloads: Outbound Sales Playbook & LinkedIn Guide

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If you haven't already done so, follow the podcast to make sure you never miss a value-packed episode.

Links mentioned in the episode:

• FREE Outbound Sales Playbook
• PEMA.io website
• Cindy Dodd's website
• The Takeover Podcast
• Cindy Dodd's Instagram
• Cindy Dodd's LinkedIn
• Second First Membership
• Second First One-on-One Coaching
• Second First on Instagram
• Second First on LinkedIn
• Megan Long on LinkedIn

One of the most powerful (and often invisible) things you can do in this role is proactively de-risk the business. That means thinking ahead, planning for disruptions, and removing single points of failure that could knock the business off track.

In this episode of The Right-Hand Roadmap, we unpack the real meaning of de-risking. It’s not about fear—it’s about responsibility. We talk through how to evaluate operational systems, vendor dependencies, leadership bandwidth, and revenue streams with fresh eyes. Megan also shares a true story from a tornado that tested her own continuity plans, and an ADA compliance issue that could’ve quietly cost $20,000 if not addressed.

You'll hear all about:

• 00:28 – Why de-risking is a critical function for Seconds-in-Command in founder-led companies
• 01:03 – The three core priorities you must balance: growth, team health, and risk mitigation
• 01:33 – Understanding key person risk: what happens if the CEO—or you—can’t work?
• 02:01 – The value of cross-training, documentation, and succession planning
• 02:22 – Operational risk: how to spot single points of failure in systems and processes
• 02:47 – A business continuity exercise that lists every function, tool, and backup plan
• 03:32 – The real-life value of this work: how a tornado in 2020 tested their contingency planning 04:17 – Payroll goes down? Here’s a backup plan that ensures no one misses a paycheck
• 05:01 – Strategic and financial risk: are you too reliant on one client, channel, or product?
• 05:51 – Vendor risk: how to evaluate suppliers and what to do when terms change unexpectedly
• 06:16 – The two-part vendor checklist: security protocols and financial terms
• 07:25 – How to approach worst-case scenario thinking without being a fearmonger
• 07:48 – Pitching risk-mitigation to your CEO: making it real with examples
• 08:00 – A real ADA website lawsuit story—and why a $20K surprise could derail your year
• 09:14 – Use storytelling and real-life examples to prioritize de-risking in your annual plan

Rate, review & follow on Apple Podcasts

If you haven't already done so, follow the podcast to make sure you never miss a value-packed episode.

Links mentioned in the episode:

• Second First Membership
• Second First One-on-One Coaching
• Second First on Instagram
• Second First on LinkedIn
• Megan Long on LinkedIn