Podcast with Lauren Zaslansky Conner

Описание: Lauren Zaslansky Conner, MBA, is a Fractional COO and founder of ZAZ Business Solutions. She partners with founders and leadership teams to bring structure, coordination, and follow-through to organizations that have grown more complex to run.

In this episode of Hot Seat with Anna, Lauren shares what really happens when businesses move beyond startup mode and why the right operational leadership can be the difference between constant friction and sustainable growth. Lauren discusses how to:

💡 Know when your organization is ready for a fractional COO
📉 Identify operational blind spots that founders often normalize
🧩 Address broken systems before they quietly stall growth
🤝 Build trust while navigating emotionally complex leadership dynamics
⚖️ Balance execution, delegation, and work-life boundaries
📊 Use systems, training, and financial data to make smarter decisions

Lauren also shares lessons from her experience working with global brands like Disney, leading through periods of change, and building organizations that feel aligned, resilient, and prepared for what’s next.

Learn more about Lauren:
🔗 www.linkedin.com/in/laurenzaslanskyconner/


01:51 – “Everyone claims they need a COO. How do you spot the founders who want real operational help versus those who want a babysitter for chaos?”

02:49 – “What is the most common lie founders tell themselves about operations once revenue passes six figures?”

03:43 – “Fractional COO sounds polite. What mess usually waits for you on day one when you step inside a business?”

04:54 – “Founders say culture matters. Where do you see leaders quietly breaking trust while thinking they are protecting culture?”

06:45 – “You focus on the how. What part of execution do leaders avoid because it exposes weak decision making?”

08:14 – “You work calmly in emotionally charged environments. What emotional behavior from founders slows growth the most?”

10:40 – “Former Disney experience sounds impressive. What habits from large brands fail instantly inside small businesses?”

12:42 – “Systems promise clarity. At what point do systems start hiding accountability instead of improving results?”

14:42 – “When should a business stop hiring specialists and bring in operational leadership instead?”

16:47 – “Share one client moment where everything looked fine on paper and was falling apart behind the scenes. What fixed it?”