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The CEO Sage — Business
The CEO Sage

You’re vitally important and completely invisible. You’re performing in what you once dreamed. The thing you built to free you has become the thing you’re trapped inside.

You’ve built something real. A business that works. A reputation that precedes you. By every measure, you’re succeeding.
And something is wrong that you can’t quite name.

You’ve tried the frameworks. You’ve bought the courses. You’ve followed the gurus. And on some level you know that none of it is going to give you what you’re actually looking for, because what you’re actually looking for is yourself.

This is The CEO Sage—a podcast for the woman who is ready to stop looking outside herself for the answer.

Kris Plachy doesn’t offer you recipes or tactics or the “real way” to scale your business. She offers you something more rare: permission to listen to what you already know. In intimate, unflinching conversations, she names the truths you’ve been waiting to hear aloud. That your wisdom matters more than the strategy. That your self-trust is the asset worth protecting. That what feels like failure might actually be an invitation to something better.

If you’ve achieved the success everyone told you to want and discovered it wasn’t what you were looking for, this is for you. If you know something needs to change but can’t see the path, this is for you. If you’re ready to stop performing and start revealing—to yourself first, then to the world—this is for you.

The CEO Sage. Where the work of becoming begins with the work of remembering who you already are.

Copyright: Copyright © 2019 - 2021 Kris Plachy

Latest Episodes:

Transforming Uncertainty into Action Mar 10, 2025

Show notes

Get ready for another compelling episode of Leadership is Feminine with your host, Kris Plachy! This week, we're diving into the intriguing concept of being "at the ready." Inspired by a thought-provoking chat with one of her clients, Kris explores what it means for leaders and their teams to be prepared for unexpected challenges. With a landscape full of uncertainty, akin to the early days of the Covid-19 pandemic, the discussion couldn't be more timely.

In a world where change is the only constant, Kris encourages us to assess our 'at the ready' status in areas critical to both personal and professional survival. She breaks it down into categories to focus on—finances, team dynamics, and personal schedules. Ask yourself, are you financially secure, or is there room to streamline those unnecessary expenses? When it comes to your team, Kris asks the tough questions: Are you nurturing a capable crew, or is it time to reassess?

Readiness is not just a strategic necessity but a mindset to cultivate. Tune in for more insights on finding the balance between planning for tomorrow while handling today's unpredictabilities.

Key Takeaways From This Episode

The Meaning of Being "At the Ready": How staying prepared and adaptable can help leaders navigate economic and business uncertainties with confidence.
Financial Readiness as a Stability Check: Why regularly evaluating cash flow, savings, and expenses ensures your business can weather unexpected challenges.
Team Readiness and Alignment: The importance of assessing your team's strength, performance, and adaptability to maintain momentum and efficiency.
Planning and Scheduling with Agility: How modifying plans based on shifting circumstances keeps your business responsive and resilient.
Leadership in Uncertain Times: Why proactive preparation, rather than reactive decision-making, is key to leading effectively through economic and market fluctuations.

Contact Information and Recommended Resources

To learn more and register for Believe! One Month to Believe, One Year to Achieve, please CLICK HERE

Developing Leaders Through Energy Awareness and Emotional Intelligence Mar 03, 2025

Show notes

Welcome to another engaging episode of the Leadership is Feminine podcast with your host, Kris Plachy. In today's episode titled "Developing Leaders Through Energy Awareness and Emotional Intelligence," Kris takes a deep dive into leadership from an esoteric perspective.

Moving beyond the typical tactical approaches, she explores the significance of energy exchange in leadership development. Leadership is more than a series of tactics; it's about the relationship you cultivate with yourself and others.

Kris delves into how energy plays a pivotal role in these interactions, emphasizing the importance of recognizing and understanding energy exchanges between leaders and their teams. Whether you're an empath or simply keen on enhancing your leadership skills, this episode sheds light on navigating the unspoken communication of energy to foster thriving work relationships.

Tune in as Kris shares valuable insights and practical advice on how to harness this often overlooked dimension of leadership.

Key Takeaways From This Episode

Leadership as an Energetic Exchange – It's not just about tactics; the energy you bring shapes team dynamics.
The Unspoken Impact of Energy – We constantly exchange energy, influencing interactions beyond words and tone.
Recognizing Awkward or Draining Energy – Some conversations flow effortlessly, while others feel off due to unseen dynamics.
Empaths and Leadership – Empathic leaders sense energy deeply; understanding this helps them lead without self-doubt.
You Don't Have to Fix It – Awkward energy isn't a problem to solve; focus on maintaining your leadership presence.
Avoiding Blame and Misinterpretation – Instead of assigning blame, acknowledge the energy at play for a better approach.
Optimizing Your Energy for Leadership – Schedule key conversations when your energy is strongest for better outcomes

Contact Information and Recommended Resources

To get all the details and register for Sage's Pathway, visit www.thevisionary.ceo/sagepathway.

Do You Have a Leadership Problem? | E202 Feb 24, 2025

Show notes

In this episode of Leadership is Feminine, Kris Plachy challenges leaders to take a hard look at their role—not just as decision-makers, but as the driving force behind the alignment, clarity, and culture of their organizations. As the person at the helm, your leadership defines everything. Kris emphasizes that self-awareness isn't optional—it's the foundation of effective leadership. Leaders set the tone, and because so many people naturally defer to authority, it's critical to understand the impact of your behavior, emotions, and decisions. Without that awareness, misalignment seeps in, leading to confusion, frustration, and blame. She also asks a powerful question: Do the people who work for you know what it means to be a leader according to you? If leadership expectations aren't clear, how can you expect your team to operate in alignment? A lack of clarity in leadership inevitably shows up in employee performance. Too often, leaders blame their teams for underperformance when the real issue lies in inconsistent direction and expectations. This episode is a call to redefine leadership within your business. Kris invites you to get crystal clear on what leadership means—to you, to your managers, and to your entire organization. Because at the end of the day, everything comes back to leadership. And don't forget—Sage's Pathway training kicks off March 20th. For more information, visit www.thevisionary.ceo/sagepathway.

Key Takeaways From This Episode

The Leader's Role in Setting the Tone: Why leadership isn't just about being in charge, but about influencing and shaping the culture of your organization.
Self-Awareness as the Foundation of Leadership: How understanding your own impact, emotions, and behaviors is essential for leading effectively.
The Power of Clarity in Leadership: Why clearly defining leadership expectations is critical for team alignment and success.
The Consequences of Misalignment: How a lack of leadership consistency shows up in employee performance and overall business outcomes.
Leadership vs. Followership: Recognizing that many employees naturally defer to leaders, making self-awareness and accountability even more crucial.
Blame vs. Accountability: Why unclear expectations often lead to blaming employees for underperformance instead of addressing leadership gaps.
Defining Leadership for Your Team: The importance of explicitly communicating what leadership means in your business and ensuring your managers understand and embody it.

Contact Information and Recommended Resources

To get all the details and register for Sage's Pathway, visit www.thevisionary.ceo/sagepathway.

Developing Leaders Who Can Lead Without You | E201 Feb 17, 2025

Show notes

Have you ever felt like your business depends too much on you? Do you wonder how to step back without everything falling apart? In this episode of Leadership is Feminine, Kris Plachy unpacks the path from being the one in charge to developing leaders who can run the business without you.

She introduces the three key questions that shape an entrepreneur's journey: How do I do this? How are we going to do this? And finally, how are they going to do this? These questions reveal the natural progression from doing everything yourself to building a team and ultimately empowering others to take full ownership.

Kris explores what it takes to move through these stages and why so many women get stuck in the transition. As she explains, "If you are still thinking like a doer, if you are still thinking like the chief operator of your business and not the CEO or executive leader… then you don't ever get out of it, right? You stay stuck there."

She also announces The Sage's Pathway, a live two-day event, designed for women who are ready to develop their team of managers into true leaders. This event is the next level of growth—helping you step away from the daily operations so you can experience not just more freedom, but the full impact of your years of investment in your business. To join the waitlist and learn more, click here.

If you're ready to shift from being the one who does it all to leading a team that thrives without your constant involvement, this episode is for you.

Key Takeaways From This Episode

The Entrepreneur's Journey: Moving from bootstrapping to developing leaders to lead in your place.
Important Relationships that Need to Change for Leadership Growth
The Role of Self-Awareness in Leadership
Transition to the Next Level of Leadership: Overcoming resistance and fear
The Need for Women's Leadership: The significance of women's accomplishments in business, and the encouragement to keep going.
Introduction to The Sage's Pathway

Contact Information and Recommended Resources Get Access to the One Hour Leader

To download the One Hour Leader digital book and take advantage of the special savings for the Lead Self-Study, go to www.thevisionary.ceo/onehourleader.

Get On the Waitlist for The Sage's Pathway

Get your name on the Sage's Pathway Waitlist so you'll learn all the details when we open for registration, CLICK HERE

It's Time To Value UP! | E200 Feb 10, 2025

Show notes

In today's episode of Leadership is Feminine, Kris Plachy explores the profound responsibility that comes with leadership and the undeniable influence leaders have—whether they realize it or not. Leadership isn't just about making choices; it's about understanding the weight of those choices and the impact they have on the people who follow. Kris challenges both leaders and followers to reflect: When was the last time you revisited your values? Are you making decisions based on your own beliefs, or simply following someone else's lead? She urges listeners to take a step back, dig into their core values, and ensure they're aligned with the people and organizations they choose to follow. But leadership doesn't exist without followership. Kris dives into the often-overlooked responsibility of followers, emphasizing that it's just as crucial for them to understand their own values. "It is as incumbent upon followers to know what their values are, as it is for leaders," she says. Too often, people look to leaders for direction without first identifying what truly matters to them. "If you assume a role of leadership, you have a tremendous amount of responsibility," Kris reminds us. People naturally seek guidance, and as a leader, you set the course—whether for a team, a business, or a community. This episode is a call to step into leadership and followership with clarity, intention, and a strong foundation of personal values.

Key Takeaways From This Episode

Understanding the Responsibility That Comes with a Leadership Role: Discussion of how easy it is for people to be placed in leadership roles based on the followers around them.
Leaders Can Influence and Shape People's Actions and Decisions
The Importance of Clear Values for Both Leaders and Followers: Self-awareness and clarity about one's values.
The Challenge of Different Interpretations of Shared Values
Values in the Workplace: Understanding the values of your organization and your leaders.

Contact Information and Recommended Resources Join the Waitlist for SAGE PATHWAY CLICK HERE to join the Sage Pathway waitlist to learn how to develop and lead your management team so the business thrives without relying solely on you. Get Access to HIRING & DEVELOPING LEADERS

Want the free guide that answers your most asked questions about developing your next level management team? CLICK HERE to get it.

A Call to Leaders for More Connections Feb 03, 2025

Show notes

In this episode of Leadership is Feminine, Kris Plachy explores the transformative power of in-person connection in business and leadership. Fresh from her retreat in Hawaii, Kris shares a fundamental truth that nothing replaces the value of in-person connection. While the business world leans heavily on virtual interactions and digital spaces, she challenges leaders to prioritize face-to-face gatherings—because the impact goes far beyond logistics or agendas. Kris emphasizes that in-person meetings don't just strengthen relationships; they deepen commitment to the business's mission and vision. She believes that when people have the chance to connect in real life, it changes them—it changes how they see their work, their team, and their purpose. Many talented and driven individuals are working in isolation, and that separation is limiting their ability to perform at their best. Human beings thrive on connection, and creating opportunities for in-person interaction is essential for unlocking true potential. Looking ahead, Kris introduces her new program, The Sage's Pathway, designed to bring leaders together for immersive, in-person coaching. She acknowledges that making time for in-person connection requires effort, planning, and sacrifice, but she stands firm in her belief that the benefits far outweigh the challenges. At a time when loneliness is considered a public health crisis, Kris urges us to rethink how we build and maintain meaningful professional relationships. Are you ready to harness the magic of human connection in your leadership journey? Tune in to this episode of Leadership is Feminine and discover why in-person connection is an investment you can't afford to overlook.

"You cannot just hire people to get tasks done. You are hiring and engaging and inviting people's hearts, people's minds, people's energy, and people's hands to a vision."

Key Takeaways From This Episode

The Impact of Human Connection in Leadership: The irreplaceable value of in-person compared to remote connection.
The Importance of Bringing People Together: Building a thriving team culture through time spent face to face.
Realization of the Need for More In-person Interactions: In-person interaction alters the connection among team members and adds value to their work.
Challenging the Digital Dominance in Work Culture: Addressing some potential objections to shifting to in-person modes from digital ones
Evaluating the Need to Reset Expectations and Attract Committed Employees

Contact Information and Recommended Resources Join the Waitlist for SAGE PATHWAY

CLICK HERE to join the Sage Pathway waitlist to learn how to develop and lead your management team so the business thrives without relying solely on you.

Get Access to HIRING & DEVELOPING LEADERS

Want the free guide that answers your most asked questions about developing your next level management team? CLICK HERE to get it.

Who Will Lead Your Business Without You? Jan 27, 2025

Show notes

In this episode of Leadership is Feminine, Kris Plachy takes us on a journey through the stages of leadership and what it means to become a Sage—a woman who transforms an idea into a thriving entity and puts it out into the world. Sages are recognized as experts in their field and are known for what they do. With her heart-centered philosophy and deep coaching experience, Kris asks the thought-provoking question: How do you develop the leaders who will lead your business without you? Kris begins by exploring the first stage of leadership, where many of us ask ourselves, "How am I going to do this?" This is the phase of figuring things out on your own, navigating the complexities of entrepreneurship, and learning to trust yourself through trial and error. It's a challenging but essential part of building a foundation. As leaders grow, the question shifts to, "How are we going to do this?" In this stage, the focus moves to building a team. Kris highlights the importance of collaboration, recognizing that success isn't achieved alone. It requires others to contribute their hearts, minds, and hands to support your vision and help drive progress. Finally, leaders reach the Sage stage, where the critical question becomes, "How are they going to do this?" This stage is about stepping back and empowering others to lead. Kris introduces her Sage Pathway program, which focuses on developing leaders within your business who can thrive and drive success without your constant involvement. Kris passionately emphasizes the power of women in leadership, saying, "When a woman can lead, when a woman knows how to leverage the hearts, minds, and hands of others, she can build something beyond herself." If you're ready to embrace your role as a well-resourced leader and empower others to thrive, this episode will inspire and guide you. Tune in to Leadership is Feminine and discover how to take the next step in your leadership journey.

Key Takeaways From This Episode

Stages of Leadership Evolution: Leadership progresses through three stages: figuring it out alone, building a team, and empowering others to lead.
Developing Future Leaders: The Sage Pathway focuses on mentoring and developing leaders who can run the business independently.
The Risks of Dependency: A business reliant on the founder for all major decisions cannot sustain long-term growth.
Leadership as a Path to Wealth and Opportunity: Women who learn to lead effectively can build wealth, create opportunities, and expand their impact beyond themselves.
Teaching Leadership Skills: Kris emphasizes the need for female founders to embrace and develop leadership frameworks to avoid abdicating their role.

Contact Information and Recommended Resources

Discover the power of belief to achieve your biggest goals with TheVisionary.CEO's transformative 5-week group coaching experience starting January 2, 2025—visit www.thevisionary.ceo/believe to join now!

Necessary Endings: How Letting Go Fuels Growth | E197 Jan 20, 2025

Show notes

In this episode of Leadership is Feminine, Kris Plachy invites us to explore the transformative power of belief and the role it plays in achieving our goals. Kris challenges us to rethink the foundational beliefs that shape our actions. She unpacks why we often struggle to achieve what we genuinely want and explains how shifting our mindset can open doors to growth and fulfillment. Drawing inspiration from Dr. Henry Cloud's book Necessary Endings, Kris examines the art of letting go. She likens this to pruning a rose bush, where cutting back is necessary to allow the healthiest growth and new possibilities to emerge. This serves as a reminder that releasing what no longer serves us can create space for new possibilities. Kris also expands on the idea of 'purging,' encouraging leaders to apply this principle across their lives and businesses. Whether it's clients, vendors, technology tools, relationships, or team members, she emphasizes the importance of evaluating what aligns with our purpose and letting go of what doesn't. "All that fear that you had that it would be terrible, fueled you keeping someone in your business. When the truth is, releasing them is going to create so much space and freedom for them, too," Kris reminds us. This episode is a call to action for leaders who are ready to eliminate the elements holding them back and to invest their energy into what truly matters. Are you ready to challenge your beliefs, release what's no longer serving you, and step into a new version of yourself? Tune in and discover how these practices can revolutionize your life and leadership journey.

Key Takeaways From This Episode

Importance of Self-Understanding in Achieving Success
Evaluating Personal and Professional Relationships that No Longer Serve You
Philosophies Around Pruning Business Operations
Team Cuts for Growth: Evaluating team performance to ensure everyone contributes effectively.
Importance of Purging: Marie Kondo's concept of retaining things that 'bring joy'.

Contact Information and Recommended Resources

Discover the power of belief to achieve your biggest goals with TheVisionary.CEO's transformative 5-week group coaching experience starting January 2, 2025—visit www.thevisionary.ceo/believe to join now!

If You Want Different, Think Different | E196 Jan 13, 2025

Show notes

In this episode of Leadership is Feminine, Kris Plachy explores the power of our thoughts and the processes they set in motion. Kicking off the new year, Kris unpacks the compelling concept that everything we experience is a result of our thoughts. Her guiding principle? "Think, feel, do, get."

Kris challenges us to pause and reflect: What if everything you have—even the things you don't like—is something you once wanted, either consciously or unconsciously? Building on Carolyn Elliott's provocative idea that "having is wanting," Kris invites us to examine our lives with curiosity and honesty.

In this episode, Kris explores the undeniable link between thoughts, processes, and outcomes. She reminds us that every result we experience begins with a thought, which drives a feeling, which leads to an action, which ultimately creates our reality. If we want different results, Kris encourages us to reverse-engineer our desired outcomes: Start with the result you want, then identify the actions, feelings, and thoughts needed to get there.

Ready to take charge of 2025 with purpose and intention? Tune in to this inspiring episode of Leadership is Feminine and discover how to transform your thoughts into the life you're meant to lead.

Key Takeaways From This Episode

Discussion of Ideas and Their Origins: Every man-made item started from an idea.
Relationship Between Thoughts and Results in Our Lives
Every Result Is Derived From a Process: The importance of understanding this process, whether conscious or not.
Taking Accountability for Unwanted Results: Process of tracing an outcome back to the initial thought.
Reworking the Process for Desired Results: The methodology of reworking one's thought, feeling, action to achieve a different result.
Overcoming Negative Circumstances: Encouraging listeners to claim agency over their circumstances.

Contact Information and Recommended Resources

Discover the power of belief to achieve your biggest goals with TheVisionary.CEO's transformative 5-week group coaching experience starting January 2, 2025—visit www.thevisionary.ceo/believe to join now!

You Are the Asset – Kicking Off 2025 | E195 Jan 06, 2025

Show notes

In this episode of Leadership is Feminine, Kris Plachy kicks off 2025 with a powerful reminder: You are the asset. Through a heartfelt and insightful walk-and-talk, Kris unpacks what it truly means to prioritize yourself as the cornerstone of your life and business.

She explores why being "tactic-hungry" isn't the answer and challenges us to stop outsourcing our wisdom to books, strategies, or others' advice. Instead, Kris emphasizes the liberating—and sometimes terrifying—truth: the answers you seek are already within you.

Drawing from her own journey and decades of working with clients, Kris shares the difference between tactics and wisdom, why chaos can feel oddly comforting, and how recognizing yourself as the foundation can lead to radical clarity and transformation.

She also announces her focus for the year ahead: helping women embrace their role as the asset in their lives while exploring the Sage's journey of subtraction, creativity, and reinvention. It's a call to action for anyone ready to stop spinning and start living with purpose.

This episode is your permission slip to see yourself, believe yourself, and finally act on what you already know to be true. Are you ready to stake your claim in 2025? Tune in for an empowering start to the year

Key Takeaways From This Episode

You're the Asset: Focusing on the importance of focusing on what you need, in order to be at your best.
Concept of Wisdom over Tactics: The answers are out there and easy to find. But it's not the answers that are holding you back.
Addressing Unfulfilled Desires: The role of wisdom in achieving objectives.
Recognizing Personal Responsibility and Power: The importance of recognizing one's inherent power to create change.
Connecting to Inner Wisdom: The importance of identifying and not avoiding personal truths.

Contact Information and Recommended Resources

Discover the power of belief to achieve your biggest goals with TheVisionary.CEO's transformative 5-week group coaching experience starting January 2, 2025—visit www.thevisionary.ceo/believe to join now!

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