What happens when you’re the glue holding a global mission together, but the glue starts to crack?
In this electric conversation, Sivana Brewer digs into the trenches with Skye Blanks, COO of the International Council for Small Business, an entrepreneur, and a relentless global operator. They expose the raw truth behind cross-border team dynamics, the weight of relentless travel, and the personal toll of constant responsibility. This episode tears open the unfiltered reality of getting things done, teaching accountability, and building operational systems when the stakes and time zones are always changing.
Listen now or risk missing the proven tactics and hard-won lessons that separate thriving leaders from burned-out managers. If you’re ready to weaponize transparency, claim your seat at the table, and cut through nonprofit noise, this conversation is for you.
Timestamped Highlights
00:31 – The “born operator” mindset that shaped a global COO
02:36 – The hidden power of loyalty and facing down risks bigger than Deloitte
05:35 – How do you keep policymakers, professors, and entrepreneurs moving together?
10:34 – The stop-doing list: Skye’s ruthless system for switching hats daily
15:06 – The radical transparency tactic that keeps remote teams accountable
18:16 – What’s really at stake when culture fails, and no one steps up
23:58 – Skye’s blueprint for replicable, world-class events—anywhere
29:23 – Why firing people and failed partnerships still sting at the top
34:18 – The “humane entrepreneurship” concept that rewrites how leaders show up
About the Guest
Skye Blanks is the Chief Operating Officer of the International Council for Small Business (ICSB), where he works closely with executive leadership to scale operations and support small and medium-sized enterprises globally. He is also the founder of Premo Cannabis and serves in advisory and board-level roles, bringing a hands-on operator’s perspective shaped by building and leading organizations. His work centers on execution, governance, and being an effective second-in-command.🔗 LinkedIn | Website
Mentioned Resources
About the Co-Host
Sivana Brewer is a Fractional COO for Remote Teams and former COO at Closers.io, where she helped scale the company to multiple eight figures and built over 500+ sales teams in just 2.5 years. She specializes in leadership development, remote operations, and systems that empower teams to grow sustainably.
🔗 Connect with Sivana on LinkedIn
Important Links
The Second in Command Podcast is an original production hosted by Cameron Herold. Brought to you by COO Alliance. Production and editing by Podcast Your Brand.
Sponsored by:
Redirect Health - Affordable healthcare benefits designed to make traditional insurance optional, with 24/7 access to primary care and Rx support that helps businesses reduce costs while keeping employees covered.
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