[She’s Got Hustle] Actionable Strategies for Effective Leadership With Maggie So

Maggie So is the Founder of Glasshopper Services Inc., which provides accounting, back office, and operations support for start-ups and growing companies. With over seven years of experience, she has become a leader in streamlining operations and aiding strategic decision-making. Blending her passion for psychology and business, Maggie also thrives as an executive and leadership coach. As a businesswoman, coach, and mother, Maggie offers a unique perspective on cultivating leadership styles and achieving work-life balance.

Here’s a glimpse of what you’ll learn:

• [4:14] What inspired Maggie So to start Glasshopper Services Inc.?
• [8:24] Struggles and lessons learned in starting a business
• [11:46] Common financial mistakes small businesses make and how to avoid them
• [15:47] Maggie‘s journey of transitioning from finance to leadership coaching
• [20:34] Key qualities that make an effective leader and actionable steps to develop them
• [28:19] Maggie shares how she helped a CEO achieve structure and clarity for the business
• [34:38] Balancing work, life, and family
• [43:39] Maggie‘s vision for Glasshopper’s future and her coaching practice

In this episode…

Effective leadership is more than managing a team; it’s about cultivating self-awareness, embracing change, and building genuine connections. How can entrepreneurs create a resilient business while remaining adaptable and focused on personal growth?

According to Maggie So, a seasoned entrepreneur and leadership coach, successful leadership starts with self-reflection and a willingness to adapt. She emphasizes the importance of understanding your strengths and weaknesses and acknowledging that personal growth often requires modifying goals as life circumstances evolve. Maggie also highlights the significance of mutual trust and open communication, noting that leaders who cultivate reciprocal trust and encourage constructive feedback create a culture of shared responsibility and continuous improvement. This approach strengthens team dynamics and lays the groundwork for long-term success.

In this episode of RAW Spotlight, host Emily Au sits down with Maggie So, Founder of Glasshopper Services Inc., to discuss actionable strategies for effective leadership. Maggie explores how self-awareness and adaptability are essential for thriving in business and life and offers advice on building trust and delegating responsibilities. She also shares practical tips on optimizing team potential to achieve a sustainable work-life balance.

Resources mentioned in this episode:

• Maggie So on LinkedIn
• Glasshopper Services Inc.
• Emily Au on LinkedIn
• Victor Huynh on LinkedIn
• Ready Artwork

Special Mentions

• Asana
• Notion
• QuickBooks
• Xero

Quotable Moments

• “The hardest part is aligning the work you do every day with productivity, meaning it’s moving you towards the bigger picture.”
• “Understand what the market wants and how to structure how we do things to align with that.”
• “I live with the trade-offs I’m making in the season of my life, and I’m okay with that.”
• “Hire better people that are more aligned with my core values and the company’s core values.”
• “Your brain doesn’t come naturally with context, so when you dig into ‘what happened here?,’ you’ll hear stories that open up a whole new perspective.”

Action Steps

1. Cultivate self-awareness: Reflect on your leadership strengths and weaknesses and how your actions are perceived. This will lay the foundational understanding of self that impacts decision-making and personal growth.
2. Embrace change: Be open to modifying your goals and approach as your life circumstances evolve. Addressing life’s fluidity helps you make informed decisions that better suit your shifting priorities.
3. Build and maintain trust: Develop mutual trust with your team, demonstrating why they should trust your leadership while placing trust in them. This reciprocal trust fosters an environment of open communication and shared responsibility.
4. Communicate effectively: Seek and offer constructive feedback that promotes a culture of continuous improvement. Encouraging open dialogue helps improve processes and team dynamics, leading to a healthier work environment.
5. Delegate and develop your team: Optimize potential by hiring competent individuals and trust them to take ownership of their roles. This facilitates a work-life balance and positions your business for enduring success.

Sponsor for this episode…

This episode is brought to you by Ready Artwork, where we deliver uniquely tailored B2B digital marketing services to facilitate the long-term growth of your business.

At Ready Artwork, we combine data-driven insights with innovative design to help your business thrive in the digital age. From SEO and digital advertising to web development and email marketing, we have experts who help companies uncover growth in unexplored and extraordinary ways.

To learn more, visit readyartwork.com or get a free proposal. Let Ready Artwork discover your full potential.