What if the best leaders are the least visible?
In this episode, Jose? Mejia pulls back the curtain on how a Venezuelan teen with just $120 became a transformational COO, unpacking what it really means to be the “Merlin” behind the CEO. This intimate conversation unlocks how true leaders create common ground, give permission to execute, and wield vulnerability as a superpower, especially in high-stakes, purpose-driven companies like Rapid SOS.
If you think AI will automate your edge, think again. Jose? Mejia shows why the human element, experiences, handwritten notes, and emotional role modeling, drive outcomes tech never will. Miss this episode, and you keep searching for culture and leadership hacks, while the real magic quietly passes you by. Push play now for insights you won’t find anywhere else.
This episode is sponsored by our Silver Sponsor, STS Capital Partners: Your expert guides on the journey to an Extraordinary Exit™.
To learn more about STS Capital Partners and how they achieve maximum value by Selling to Strategics™, complete the inquiry form here: https://stscapital.com/coo-alliance/
Timestamped Highlights
00:33 – The unlikely airport arrival that rewired Jose’s confidence for life
06:24 – The “self-directed team” principle that built a 40-year inner circle
09:16 – Why leaders must channel Merlin, not the King, to win with teams
11:18 – The brutal difference purpose makes when lives are on the line
13:23 – What true CEO-COO alignment REALLY looks like behind closed doors
16:44 – Underground, Battleground, Common Ground: The language that kills or creates culture
20:12 – How AI quietly transforms operator decisions in real emergencies
31:05 – The unspoken burden of leading a company where mistakes can cost lives
About the Guest
Jose? Mejia is the President and COO of Rapid SOS, leading a team of 500+ to save lives at scale. With a career spanning IBM, Lucent, and high-growth startups, Jose has built self-directed teams and organizational cultures admired worldwide. His “Merlin” approach to leadership is redefining how rapid-growth companies scale with heart.
Mentioned Resources
- IBM
- Duke University
- Lucent and Bell Labs
- Andy Grove (former CEO of Intel; High Output Management book)
- Soul on Fire (book and movie)
- Magic Cabaret, Chicago
- Slack
- Google Docs
About the Co-Host
Lindsay Smith is an experience-driven growth strategist and former Chief Strategy Officer who scaled a new region without a traditional sales team or bloated marketing budget by turning relationships, culture, and execution into revenue. She is the author of No One Needs Another Company Mug. Stop Branding. Start Experiencing and helps leadership teams use experience as a competitive growth lever.
? Connect with Lindsay on LinkedIn
Important Links
- Connect with Cameron: Website | LinkedIn
- Explore the COO Alliance – The World’s Leading Community for Seconds in Command
- Get Cameron’s book: Second in Command: Unleash the Power of Your COO Book
- Take Cameron’s leadership course: Invest In Your Leaders Online Course (Use promo code PODCAST10 before the end of the month for 10% off)
- Chat or video call with AI Cameron via Delphi
The Second in Command Podcast is an original production hosted by Cameron Herold and co-hosted by Lindsay Smith. Brought to you by COO Alliance. Production and editing by Podcast Your Brand.
This episode is sponsored by our Silver Sponsor, STS Capital Partners: Your expert guides on the journey to an Extraordinary Exit™.
To learn more about STS Capital Partners and how they achieve maximum value by Selling to Strategics™, complete the inquiry form here: https://stscapital.com/coo-alliance/
