Unleashed - How to Thrive as an Independent Professional cover art

Unleashed - How to Thrive as an Independent Professional

Unleashed - How to Thrive as an Independent Professional

Written by: Will Bachman
Listen for free

About this listen

 Unleashed explores how to thrive as an independent professional.Copyright 2019 by Will Bachman Careers Economics Management Management & Leadership Personal Success
Episodes
  • 632. Jason Baumgarten, How to Position Yourself for Board Roles

    632. Jason Baumgarten, How to Position Yourself for Board Roles
    Jan 26 2026
    Show Notes: Jason Baumgarten is a partner at Spencer Stuart where he is also the global head and CEO of board practice. He assists businesses in all sectors to identify and evaluate CEOs who motivate senior leadership teams to reach their full potential. Additionally, he assists boards with CEO succession planning, director recruitment, and identifying future leaders. How to Join a For-profit Board Jason talks about the range of roles on a board and the specific roles a board might be looking to fill. He explains that the specificity of board roles varies based on the scale and maturity of the organization, using a real example of a board search he is currently involved in. Jason discusses how sophisticated boards often have specific requirements for board members, such as industry experience, geographic expertise, and specific skill sets. Identifying and Defining Board Roles When asked about the various categories of board roles, such as finance, data analytics, and HR, Jason explains that the most common request is for recently or actively retired CEOs, followed by CFOs with specific finance experience. He highlights the importance of understanding the nature and type of business the company is in, such as regulated industries, capital-light businesses, or capital-heavy businesses. Board Member Etiquette Jason outlines the main drivers for wanting to be on a board: prestige and the desire to be helpful. He explains the concept of "noses in, fingers out" in governance, emphasizing the importance of board members being helpful but not overly involved. He also discusses the range of compensation for board members, from stipends to significant annual fees, and advises against depending on board compensation as a primary source of income. He stresses the importance of being willing to fire oneself from a board to provide objective advice to the CEO. The Reality of Joining a Board for Management Consultants Jason advises not to limit aspirations and suggests using a simple litmus test: "if the company wouldn't hire you as a top executive, they probably won't consider you for a board role." He explains the importance of nonprofit boards, both fundraising and operating boards, and how they can provide valuable experience and networking opportunities. Jason discusses the potential for board roles in small private companies, large private companies, and public companies, emphasizing the importance of regional connections and unique experiences. The Role of Executive Search Firms in Board Recruitment Jason explains that search firms are often involved in board searches for public or pre-IPO companies and large private equity firms. He advises building relationships with search firms and being responsive and helpful when they reach out for market intelligence or advisory work. Jason also shares the importance of having a network of firms that work in your industry or location and how advisory work can lead to board opportunities. How Boards Vet Prospective Members The conversation turns to the process of being vetted and evaluated for a board role, including interviews, background checks, and social media history. Jason explains that some boards generally recruit with a lighter touch than other roles, but private equity and regulated boards may conduct more thorough diligence. He advises candidates to ask about the board's process, including the last board member hired and the steps involved in the recruitment process. He also emphasizes the importance of meeting all board members and ensuring a good fit in terms of personality and interests. The Commitment Reality of Being on the Board Jason talks about the typical time commitment for board members, including meetings, committee calls, and ad hoc time with the CEO. He explains the importance of understanding the size of board decks and the amount of preparation required for each meeting. Jason also advises candidates to be patient and persistent, as the process of getting on a board can take years and is often unpredictable. Identifying Risks to Board Members When asked about the risks involved in accepting a board position and the importance of D&O insurance, Jason recommends consulting with a D&O insurance broker to understand the market and ensure appropriate coverage. He advises candidates to be aware of any litigation or regulatory risks associated with the board and to seek legal advice if necessary. Jason also emphasizes the importance of understanding the board's D&O policy and ensuring that board members are covered appropriately. Final Thoughts and Advice Jason reiterates the importance of understanding the time commitment and potential disruptions that can arise. He advises candidates to be patient and persistent, as the process of getting on a board can take years. Jason shares a story about a former CISO who became a sought-after board member, illustrating the unpredictability of the process and the importance of perseverance. Timestamps: ...
    Show More Show Less
    52 mins
  • 631. Stacey Dietsch, Learning Journeys at McKinsey Academy

    631. Stacey Dietsch, Learning Journeys at McKinsey Academy
    Jan 5 2026
    Show Notes: Stacey Dietsch talks about her 18-year tenure at McKinsey, focusing on human behavior and organizational performance. She highlights the importance of connecting investments in talent and culture to business performance and economic results. The Creation of McKinsey Academy Stacey emphasizes the role of learning in organizational change and the need for effective talent development. She discusses the creation of the McKinsey Academy, an external learning platform for clients. The Academy aims to translate McKinsey's internal training into offerings for clients, focusing on skill building, mindset shifts, and behavior change. Stacey explains that the Academy initially digitized content to scale impact and created learning journeys for clients. Stacey stresses the importance of grounding learning in business needs and connecting it to the flow of work. The Structure of Learning Journeys Stacey describes the structure of learning journeys, which include individual courses and bespoke, custom-developed learning for clients. The Academy focuses on leadership development, starting with leaders and connecting modules into learning journeys. The conversation turns to Will's experience with McKinsey's leadership training, highlighting the practical, experiential nature of the workshops. Stacey reinforces the importance of practice and real-play scenarios in learning and development. The McKinsey Management Program When asked for specifics about the modules in the McKinsey management program, Stacey outlines modules related to setting strategy, developing organizational structures, managing talent, and leveraging technology. The Academy aims to create interactive learning experiences, even in digitized content, through cohorts and teaching assistants. Stacey also emphasizes the importance of peer learning and accountability in digital learning programs. Academy Costs and the Competitive Edge When asked about client reception to McKinsey's learning programs and the competitive landscape, Stacey explains the need to demonstrate McKinsey's content and add distinctive features like teaching assistants to justify the higher cost. The Academy aims to build once and use many times to keep costs down and stay competitive. Stacey highlights the importance of learning built with the client for their specific transformation needs. Learning from the Science of Learning Turning to counterintuitive insights gained about the science of learning, Stacey shares that learning is an internal process that can be taught and that effective learning happens in the course of everyday work. She emphasizes the importance of learning to learn and learning to teach as foundational skills. Stacey discusses the role of curiosity, asking questions, and seeking feedback in continuous learning. She also talks about the relevance of modern talent development, and she explains the concept of skills-based talent strategy and the importance of knowing the workflow and tasks required for roles. And the discussion covers strategic workforce planning based on skill needs and the use of assessments to create onboarding learning journeys. Opportunities and Challenges in HR Stacey discusses the exciting opportunities and challenges in the HR talent field with the evolving nature of work. She emphasizes the importance of using AI to accelerate growth and do more and different work, not just drive efficiency. Stacey highlights the need to set organizational structures that enable people to work side by side with AI agents. Helping Clients Leverage AI Stacey shares that she is working with various clients as an independent consultant, leveraging her McKinsey knowledge. She focuses on helping clients navigate the evolving AI landscape and prepare for the future of work. Stacey emphasizes the importance of talent strategy and the different interventions needed to set organizations up for success. Timestamps: 03:36: Development of the McKinsey Academy 06:01: McKinsey's Learning Journeys and Leadership Development 09:04: Specific Modules and Interactive Learning 14;43: Client Reception and Competitive Positioning 18:43: Insights into the Science of Learning 23:03: Skills-Based Talent Strategy and Qual Cards 30:32: Future of Work and AI 34:24: Stacey's Current Practice as an Independent Consultant Links: LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/staceydietsch This episode on Umbrex: https://umbrex.com/unleashed/episode-631-stacey-dietsch-learning-journeys-at-mckinsey-academy/ Unleashed is produced by Umbrex, which has a mission of connecting independent management consultants with one another, creating opportunities for members to meet, build relationships, and share lessons learned. Learn more at www.umbrex.com. *AI generated timestamps and show notes.
    Show More Show Less
    34 mins
  • 630. Remco Visser, Introducing Saga, Legal AI Innovation

    630. Remco Visser, Introducing Saga, Legal AI Innovation
    Dec 29 2025
    Show Notes: Remco Visser talks about Saga, an AI product used by 150 law firms. Remco explains that Saga is a legal AI innovation company helping law firms and legal departments implement AI into their practice and daily workflows. AI Training and Integration The platform includes AI training and adoption sessions to help firms integrate AI into their daily practices. However, Remco highlights the importance of understanding the viability space where AI can be effectively used if the firm is not yet ready for full AI implementation. Saga helps firms understand when AI integration is the best option and offers training on using AI in the workflow. He talks about LLMs and more standard software options Demonstrating Saga Remco demonstrates the AI platform's ability to draft legal documents, using an NDA as an example. The platform automatically recognizes when a user wants to draft a document and opens a window for AI-generated documents, and he shows the platform's ability to ask follow-up questions for customization, such as what country state law should govern it? What's the main purpose? How long do you want it to last? Remco explains the platform's new updates require more context to draft accurate documents. The Saga Prompt Improver Remco introduces the concept of a prompt improver that automatically improves prompts for users. The platform can suggest variables for users to fill in, making it easier to draft accurate documents. To highlight the program's efficiency, he gives an example of a prompt improved by the platform. Remco emphasizes the importance of providing context, such as jurisdiction and language, to improve the accuracy of AI-generated documents. He explains how the prompts can be stored in the Prompt Library improver and how the Saga lab tests and shares prompts for customers to access. Saga Use Cases Remco discusses various use cases, including drafting letters of intent and reviewing agreements, and mentions that people with no legal experience can use it. The platform can use templates and attach documents to draft comprehensive legal documents. Remco demonstrates the ability to redline documents and suggest changes based on templates. The platform can also assist with litigation by drafting arguments, memos, and letters, and providing detailed timelines. Saga's Assistance Roles Remco explains the concept of assistance roles, such as devil's advocate, contract assistant, and legal research assistant. These roles help users challenge their arguments and improve their legal strategies. Data Accuracy and AI Hallucinations Remco addresses the issue of hallucinations in AI-generated documents, explaining how Saga mitigates this risk. The platform uses citations and reasoning models to ensure the accuracy of generated documents. He demonstrates the various assistant models available from proofreader and tax authority to Judge and goes into detail on how to check citations and ensure data is accurate. Saga's Implementation Process Remco outlines the implementation process for firms, recommending starting with a smaller group for training. The training program includes sessions on AI basics, prompting, workflows, and legal databases. Firms can also bring practice groups together to brainstorm AI use cases and share information. Remco emphasizes the importance of hands-on exercises during training to ensure users understand how to use the platform effectively. Time-saving Features and Pricing Remco explains that Saga charges per seat per month, with a price of 125 euros per user. Firms save an average of four to five hours a week and see an improvement in work quality, especially for juniors. The platform is designed to be a no-brainer for firms looking to improve efficiency and quality in legal work. He acknowledges the challenges of implementing new software but believes the value proposition is clear. Grid Review Feature Remco demonstrates the grid review feature, which extracts information from documents and provides detailed insights. The platform can handle various types of documents, such as lease agreements, Chamber of Commerce extractions, and shareholders agreements. The grid review feature highlights the context around extracted information, providing a comprehensive understanding. In conclusion, Remco emphasizes the platform's ability to save time and improve the accuracy of legal reviews. Timestamps: 01:34: Demonstration of AI Platform Features 03:05: Improving Prompts and Context 05:25: Use Cases and Advanced Features 10:34: Assistance Roles and Safeguards 14:07: Implementation and Training 17:02: Pricing and Value Proposition 20:47: Advanced Features and Customization Links: Website: https://www.sagalegal.io/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/remco-visser-1645a39b/ This episode on Umbrex: https://umbrex.com/?post_type=unleashed&p=224463&preview=true Unleashed is produced by Umbrex, which has a mission of connecting ...
    Show More Show Less
    24 mins
No reviews yet