How To Lead a Fintech Legal Team Like a Pro
Discover how a legal background shapes a Chief of Staff role in the fintech world. Anna Riabokon, Chief of Staff at Tokensoft, shares her experiences and tips in the "Leveraging Leadership" podcast.
Key Takeaways
Compliance is King: In fintech, especially in the cryptocurrency space, compliance is not just a necessity but a differentiator.
Cross-Functional Knowledge: A diverse background can be incredibly beneficial in a Chief of Staff role, enabling a better understanding of different team needs.
Proactivity and Leadership: Taking initiative and showing leadership can lead to career advancement and recognition of your skills.
Notable Quotes
"If you feel yourself as a leader like others will also see you as a leader".
"Everyone needs to direct their power to the one thing because if everyone will work on a different tasks, we will never accomplish anything".
"Be very short, direct, and specific".
Real-World Applications
Communicating with Legal: When seeking legal advice, provide all relevant details upfront in a structured manner, like an investigative dossier, to avoid back-and-forth and ensure accurate guidance. Example: When facing a unique client situation, Anna prepares a detailed summary for the legal team, including context, people involved, and factual information.
Daily Strategy Calls: Implement daily strategy calls with the leadership team to ensure everyone is aligned on goals and deadlines. Example: Anna participates in daily calls with the CTO, head of operations, head of product, and CEO to align on company strategy.
Offsite Budgeting: Collaborate closely with the finance team to monitor the budget and prioritize expenses, especially when organizing company events. Example: Anna works with the finance team to understand budget constraints and priorities when planning the annual company offsite.
Anna's insights highlight the importance of compliance, clear communication, and proactive leadership in the fintech industry. By implementing these strategies, you can enhance your leadership skills and drive success in your organization.
(00:52) Guest Introduction: Anna
(01:06) Anna's Multilingual Skills
(02:52) Anna's Journey to Law
(04:47) Transition from Law to Tech
(07:29) Anna's Role as Chief of Staff
(07:47) Legal Aspects of Chief of Staff Role
(16:49) Working with Finance
(18:37) Advice for Aspiring Chiefs of Staff
(26:09) Conclusion and Wrap-up
Reach out to Anna:
Anna Riabokon on LinkedIn
Tokensoft Website
About The Author
Emily Sander is an ICF-certified leadership coach with more than 15 years of experience in the business world and the author of Hacking Executive Leadership. She’s been featured in several print publications, online articles, and podcasts, including CEO Today Magazine, Leading to Fulfillment, and Leadership Powered by Common Sense.
Emily has a passion for helping business leaders reach their full potential. Go here to read her story from seasoned executive to knowledgeable coach. If you want to send Emily a quick message, then visit her contact page here.