187: What does it really take to be Chief of Staff at Harvard Business Publishing?
I sit down with Concetta Green, Chief of Staff at Harvard Business Publishing, for an inspiring deep dive into leadership, career growth, and purpose-driven success.

From her journey as an assistant to becoming a trusted executive partner, Concetta reveals why purpose matters more than titles, how mentorship and kindness shape real leadership, and why administrators are the unseen backbone of business. She also shares how faith and grace help her navigate challenges and create space for options.

Outside the office, Concetta opens up about family life, volunteering, adopting a senior rescue dog, and what it means to balance leadership in the age of AI.

Packed with career growth strategies, leadership lessons, and motivational insights, this episode is a must-listen for executive assistants, aspiring chiefs of staff, and anyone passionate about modern leadership and workplace culture.

Concetta Green has cultivated a rich tapestry of experience in administrative support, adeptlyworking both independently and at the helm of a team of Executive Assistants. For twentyyears, Concetta’scareer has seen her thrive in the fast-paced environments of start-ups as wellas the storied halls of organizations over a century old. From her time as COO of a faith-based NPO to her current role as Chief of Staff at Harvard Business Publishing, Concetta expertlynavigates the nuances of each organization with precision, devotion and care.

As a leader, Concettanot only manages with efficiency but also mentors with compassion, guiding her team of EAs to excellence. Known for her heartfelt and humorous approach, Concettahas a unique talent for connecting with diverse teams and audiences, inspiring themto embrace both personal and professional growth. Her book, TooBusy, Too Bored for Prayer showcases her ability to distill complex ideas into relatable wisdom, a skill that has made her an influential voice at women's conferences and a beloved author and ghostwriter. Concetta holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Speech Pathology and a Master’s Degree in Non-Profit Management.

If you are interested in connecting with Concetta for workshops or speaking engagements: GreenEADevelopment@gmail.com

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🔴 Watch the Episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/AWKP1WZynsE

- Website: https://concettagreen.com/
- LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/in/concetta-green-38816138
- Playlist song: Roar by Katy Perry

🎵 Executive Office Insights Spotify-Playlist: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/3QH8HL8oWIC0HzHWvb5KLd

- 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

186: Wie führt man Chefs durch den Tag – ohne Mikromanagement? Mit Klartext, Mut und System. Stephanie Rockenbach, erfahrene Vorstandsassistentin, zeigt, wie Kommunikation auf Augenhöhe, Hartnäckigkeit und smarte Team-Routinen den Executive-Office-Alltag strukturieren: vom Kalender über Meetings bis Reise- und Unterlagenmanagement – mit Vertrauen statt Klein-Klein.

Ihr Weg führt von Köln über IT/Software ins Bankenwesen und prägt ihren Blick auf Empathie und Qualitätsanspruch. Außerdem teilt sie ihre Haltung zu KI in der Assistenz: nützlich für Text & Zusammenfassung – aber nur mit Compliance und gesundem Menschenverstand.

Ideal für alle, die Executive Assistant, Office Management, C-Level-Support oder Leadership-Kommunikation besser verstehen und direkt anwendbare Taktiken mitnehmen wollen.

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Stephanie Rockenbach unterstützt mit großer Leidenschaft Führungskräfte, gestaltet Strukturen und sorgt für reibungslose Abläufe. Organisationstalent, Flexibilität und Empathie prägen ihre Arbeit und ihr Leben.

Nach dem Schulabschluss in Köln folgte eine Ausbildung zur Arzthelferin und später eine Weiterbildung zur Assistentin der Textverarbeitung. Berufserfahrung sammelte sie in verschiedenen Branchen, darunter Softwarehäuser und Banken, wo sie sich auf Organisation, Kommunikation und die Begleitung von Führungskräften spezialisierte.

Seit 2016 ist sie bei der Bank für Sozialwirtschaft AG tätig und leitet derzeit das Büro des Vorstandsvorsitzenden der BFS Sozialfinanz AG. In dieser Position steuert sie Informationsflüsse, koordiniert Prozesse und schafft ein vertrauensvolles Arbeitsumfeld.

Durch eine Coaching-Ausbildung sowie eine Qualifikation zur Palliativbegleiterin vertiefte sie ihre Fähigkeiten in Kommunikation und Empathie. Geduld, Mitgefühl und Zuhören stehen dabei stets im Mittelpunkt ihres Handelns.

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Vernetzt euch mit Stephanie auf LinkedIn: https://de.linkedin.com/in/stephanie-rockenbach-a0437016

Playlist Song: Treat people with kindness - Harry Stiles
🎵 Hier geht es zur Executive Office Insights Spotify-Playlist: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/3QH8HL8oWIC0HzHWvb5KLd

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

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

Podcast auf YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@the-socialista-projects

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

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

185: Go behind the scenes of Microsoft Germany’s CEO Office with two inspiring women: Andrea (Executive Assistant) and Svetlana (Chief of Staff). In this candid conversation, they share what it really takes to support a top executive, manage complex schedules, and keep leadership moving at full speed.

Discover:
✅ The difference between an Executive Assistant and a Chief of Staff
✅ How to manage the CEO Office of Microsoft Germany
✅ Career insights and skills for assistants and chiefs of staff
✅ Tools and strategies that keep leadership effective
✅ Why collaboration and trust are the key to success

This episode is packed with career tips, leadership insights, and behind-the-scenes stories from the fast-paced world of Microsoft. Perfect for aspiring Executive Assistants, future Chiefs of Staff, or anyone curious about leadership support at the highest level.

Svetlana Barsova has been with Microsoft for over 14 years, spending most of that time working at Microsoft in Russia. Since 2023, she has served as Chief of Staff to Agnes Heftberger, CVP & CEO of Microsoft Germany & Austria. Svetlana enjoys engaging with other CEO Offices from our customers and is passionate about sharing how we shape our own CEO Office, foster open and transparent communication, and integrate Copilot into our daily work.

Andrea Bross has been with Microsoft Germany for over 6 years and, since July 2024, has been the Executive Assistant to Agnes Heftberger, CVP & CEO of Microsoft Germany & Austria. She supports executive assistants in customer and partner organizations on their journey toward a modern and digital workplace. For the past year and a half, Copilot has become an indispensable part of Andrea’s daily work—she’s happy to demonstrate in customer workshops when and where it can be used in the assistant role. Beyond that, she’s deeply passionate about Diversity & Inclusion topics; she led the Families at Microsoft group for over 3 years and remains an active board member of the group.

LINKS:

🔴 Watch the Episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/nTPbeu2IM78

Diana on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/diana-brandl/
Executive Office Insights Newsletter: https://the-socialista-projects.com/#newsletter
Podcast on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@the-socialista-projects
Podcast auf Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3qBSDjTfYOG2x6qos7dKkS
Podcast on Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/de/podcast/the-future-assistant/id1493106661

Playlist songs:
Andrea: Sugar by Robin Schulz
Svetlana: -

🎵 Listen to the Executive Office Insights Spotify-Playlist: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/3QH8HL8oWIC0HzHWvb5KLd