What does a truly great CEO and OBM partnership actually look like?
It’s a relationship we talk about all the time from the OBM’s perspective. We discuss leadership, systems, delegation and operations. But we don’t often hear what it’s like from the CEO who’s experienced that partnership firsthand.
In this episode of The OBM Show, I’m joined by Shannon Mattern, founder of Web Designer Academy, for an honest conversation about what changed when she stopped trying to do everything herself and started trusting her right-hand person to lead alongside her.
Shannon shares how learning to delegate wasn’t nearly as straightforward as she expected, why she often found herself jumping back into work she’d already handed off, and how her OBM helped her become a stronger, more intentional CEO.
One of my favourite moments is when Shannon explains that one of her goals is to empower her OBM to “be the boss of me.”
Not because she wants someone else running her business, but because she understands that the best operational partners don’t just keep the business organised. They challenge your thinking, hold you accountable and help you become a better leader.
Whether you’re an Online Business Manager, a Virtual Assistant looking to step into a more strategic role, or a business owner wondering what the right operational partnership could look like, this episode offers an honest look at what happens when trust replaces control.
Prefer video? Watch the full episode here on YouTube:
Connect with Shannon (Web Designer Academy)
What You’ll Learn in This Episode
This episode is for both business owners and service providers because great partnerships are built from both sides.
Inside the conversation, you’ll learn:
👉 why delegation is often harder for CEOs than it looks
👉 how an OBM can help a CEO become a stronger leader
👉 what operational leadership looks like beyond project management and systems
👉 why the strongest business partnerships help both people grow
Most importantly, this episode is a reminder that the best OBMs don’t simply make businesses better.
They make leaders better.
And in return, the best CEOs create the space for their OBMs to lead with confidence.
The Next Step
If this conversation resonated with you and you’re ready to build the leadership, operational and strategic skills that businesses are looking for, I’d love to invite you to explore the OBM Accelerator.
And if you’re on the other end of things looking to hire just the right OBM, we’ve got you covered.
At OBM School we connect business owners with carefully vetted Accredited OBMs who don’t just manage tasks, they become trusted strategic partners. You can explore our Directory of Accredited OBMs, or let us match you directly with the right person through our Matchmaking service.
It’s time to step back from the day-to-day and get back to leading the business only you can lead.
