Monthly Meetup
Seconds gathering for Q&A and community discussion with a featured guest followed by small group networking.
Monthly on the 2nd Friday, from 11am to 12:30pm CST
(UTC-5 through October)
If you read "How to be Second" and you're ready for the next step, or want to find some more Seconds
If you seem to get slotted into progressively more management roles no matter where you go,
If your title has ever been “General Manager”, “COO”, “Integrator™️”, “Chief of Staff”, or “Manager” (or should have been),
If you’ve ever unironically wanted to put “everythinger” into your resume,
If you’ve ever identified more with Alfred than Robin...
Well, just see what it's like!
Gather together as a group and meet a special guest for Q&A. Our guest will prep an idea and/or challenge tailored for Seconds, and then we’ll break into small groups.
During time with our small groups, we’ll check in, celebrate wins, share tactical needs with each other, and discuss the question or insight posed to us.
We're done when you're done! We close the doors at 12:30pm, AND, typically the energy is obvious - we've had groups wrap after 30 minutes together, and we've had some people open NEW zoom rooms to keep the conversation rolling for another hour! (Most people who join the small groups stay until the doors close)
Seconds seem to be people who have almost all of the following traits:
- Team focused
- Collaborative
- Generalist in skillset
- A high willingness to serve
- Unopposed to organizational hierarchies
- Focused on moving forward with a plan
- Able to see causes and implications
- Avoidant of the spotlight unless needed
What you get (and how you know it's working)
- Connect with other Seconds around the Identity, not just your role (You’re not alone!)
- Learn from guest specialists about uniquely Second challenges
- Build Community in small groups
- Share tactical needs and know someone will actually help you
(Need to know someone? Need to find a new job? Need to skill up? Ask!)
What it costs
Nothing. (Well, your time, and your commitment to being awkwardly honest.)
The Monthly Meetup is free and is done to meet the mission of How to be Second:
1. Help Seconds understand who they are, how that's valuable, and how it's THEIR responsibility to own that.
2. Point Seconds in the direction of resources and tools so they can take the next step.
Nathan Young
Hey, it's Nathan! I wrote How to be Second, and I am one.
I've been a Second-in-Command most of my life and across multiple organizations including full time roles as COO, Integrator™️, Co-Founder, and General Manager.
I've started businesses, planted a church, and kept a diary of my BSBA studies live on youtube.
Most importantly, I have a wife and two daughters who have taught me more than all the rest of that combined.
Digital Product Exec
A Second
Head of Community at How to be Second
Chris brings a wealth of experience in many roles across orgs of many sizes, from small biz to enterprise, as well as her most important roles - the ones she fills for her family.
She currently serves as Director of Product Strategy at Great Clips, and has served in roles like Chief of Staff, Director of Product Ops, and Co-Founder and COO.
Where is it?
All Virtual for now.
Will it be recorded?
We expect to record specialist time for research purposes, but not to be made available publically.
(They will not be stored anywhere for future public viewing)
Is reading How to be Second a prerequisite?
Definitely not!
However, feeling confident that you are a “Second” as we describe is highly encouraged as everything we do is specifically to provide value to Seconds, and reading the book is one of the best ways to know that.
Ground rules for the meeting?
*Q&A
Something something, keep your questions short.
*Selling and recruiting
Most groups say no selling, and we get that, but we also get that sometimes your need is to do some work for dollars, or you believe you have an amazing product for Seconds.
We think that’s fine, say what you need and what you provide with awkward honesty!
...just be aware, we’re Seconds; your product will be HEAVILY vetted around here.
*Theory vs Practical stance
When someone asks for advice, try not to theorize.
Give advice from what you've DONE, not what you MIGHT do.
Unless the person requests ideation, of course!
What’s the confidentiality policy?
Vegas Rules: What happens in the group, stays in the group.
Is there a community Slack or a message board of any sort?
Not at this time, and we don’t currently have any plans for that.
Can I get one-on-one coaching outside the group?
Yup, just mention this whenever you could use the added support.