The Second in Command — Derek Fredrickson

Derek Fredrickson is an American entrepreneur based in Paris and the founder of The COO Solution, a firm that embeds fractional COOs into founder-led businesses as the trusted second-in-command — the bridge between vision and execution. For the better part of two decades, he has helped business owners scale to seven- and eight-figure levels while reclaiming their freedom. His team serves clients across the U.S., the UK, and Europe. Outside of work, he skis the French Alps and pursues a lifelong mission to master French wine.

In today’s episode of Smashing the Plateau, you will learn how embedding a fractional COO into your business can bridge the gap between vision and execution while freeing you to lead at a higher level.

Derek and I discuss:

• How Derek transitioned from Wall Street to entrepreneurship [01:41]
• What it felt like to leave corporate life and redefine his identity [02:52]
• How Derek discovered his zone of genius was running other people’s companies [06:14]
• The identity shift of going from COO to CEO of his own firm [06:39]
• How Derek decides what to say yes and no to [08:01]
• How to navigate unexpected plateaus in your business [09:34]
• Why focusing on one client avatar unlocked more traction [11:19]
• What makes The COO Solution different from matchmaking or placement services [14:44]
• The role of emotional intelligence in COO leadership [17:17]
• Why experience-based peer communities matter more than advice [18:35]

Learn more about Derek at https://thecoosolution.com/.

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About Smashing the Plateau

Smashing the Plateau is a podcast for experienced independent leaders who have left corporate roles to build sustainable, expertise-based businesses.

Each episode features a thoughtful, experience-driven conversation about what changes when you no longer have the infrastructure of an organization behind you.

We explore judgment, decision-making under uncertainty, growth plateaus, identity shifts, and the role of trusted thinking partners in sustaining long-term success.

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