173: Discover what it's really like to operate at the top. In this eye-opening conversation with Mackenzie Lee, we explore the evolving role of the Chief of Staff, the transformation of the CEO office, and how AI is reshaping leadership.

Whether you're an Executive Assistant, rising leader, or startup founder, this episode delivers actionable insights on succession planning, strategic decision-making, and the future of executive operations.

Learn how to build a world-class office, improve performance through health checks, and download the top-rated Office of the CEO playbook.

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Mackenzie is the CEO & Founder of Cedar. He helps CEOs and their C-suite teams to let go and do more. He gives leaders the freedom to do things that matter.

Mackenzie fights C-suite distractions, busywork and blockers. He helps his clients to hire a Chief of Staff, build the Office of the CEO, and implement operating systems that turn executives into fast and fearless leaders.

As a former management consultant, startup founder and Chief of Staff, Mackenzie has almost two decades of experience partnering with C-suite to scale new heights, no matter what challenges they face.

Mackenzie has worked with leaders from Fortune 1000 companies, top scaleups, private equity-backed companies, and government organizations, with a particular focus on financial services, technology and healthcare industries. He’s advised executives at Google, Palantir, Citi, Optum and the Department of Energy among other top organizations.

Mackenzie is a sought-after speaker, researcher, and thought leader on all things related to leadership, Chief of Staff and the Office of the CEO. He is a graduate of the Stanford StartX accelerator, proud Stanford management science & engineering alum and Stanford public policy alum. Mackenzie now lives in New York City.

Links

Office of the CEO Playbook:

https://static1.squarespace.com/static/636a8c999b042104adda3b25/t/67af97f07853b3570690d08e/1739560946882/Cedar+-+The+Office+of+the+CEO+Playbook%2C+1st+Edition.pdf

Chief of Staff Playbook

https://static1.squarespace.com/static/636a8c999b042104adda3b25/t/67af97e0e4fc9777da84391e/1741362537688/Cedar+-+The+Chief+of+Staff+Playbook%2C+2nd+Edition.pdf

Haufe Chief of Staff Zertifizierung
https://www.haufe-akademie.de/41675

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Diana on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/diana-brandl/

Executive Office Insights Newsletter: https://the-socialista-projects.com/#newsletter

Podcast on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3qBSDjTfYOG2x6qos7dKkS

Podcast on Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/de/podcast/the-future-assistant/id1493106661