340 | Jhana Li | Scaling Smart: How to Build a Thriving, Efficient Business

The Greatness Machine

Optimizing business operations isn’t just about efficiency—it’s about creating a culture where teams thrive and businesses scale sustainably. In this episode of The Greatness Machine, Jhana Li shares powerful insights on transforming company dynamics through team swaps, radical honesty, and operational intelligence. She breaks down how leaders can uncover hidden inefficiencies, foster a feedback-driven environment, and build organizations that don’t just grow, but evolve. From navigating tough conversations to designing systems that support long-term success, Jhana offers a roadmap for turning operations into a competitive advantage.

In this episode, Darius and Jhana will discuss:

(00:00) Introduction and Guest Background

(02:02) Jhana's Journey into Operations

(04:59) The Role of Visionaries and Integrators

(08:00) Defining Success in Business

(09:55) The Importance of Sustainable Growth

(12:52) Learning Through Pain in Entrepreneurship

(17:11) Navigating Remote Work and Team Culture

(19:56) Mentorship in a Remote Environment

(23:09) Operational Strategies for Business Success

(24:25) The Bucket Analogy: Understanding Operations

(26:27) Finding the Right Operator

(28:19) The Role of Subject Matter Expertise

(31:50) Removing Friction for Sustainable Growth

(33:25) Building a Remote Culture

(36:33) Essential Technologies for Virtual Operations

(46:49) Creating a Culture of Radical Honesty

(48:57) Starting with Low-Hanging Fruit in Culture Change

Jhana Li is the founder of Spyglass Ops, a company dedicated to helping entrepreneurs scale past 7- and 8-figures through expert Operations consulting, recruitment, and training. Before launching Spyglass Ops, Jhana served as COO for multiple startups, all while traveling full-time in a converted van across North and South America. After witnessing countless founders struggle without the right operational foundations, she set out to change that. Over the past three years, she has helped 100+ businesses streamline their operations, enabling them to grow while reclaiming their personal freedom.

Sponsored by:

Indeed: Get a $75 sponsored job credit to boost your job's visibility at Indeed.com/DARIUS.

NPR Tech Unheard Podcast: Tune into Tech Unheard from Arm and NPM—wherever you get your podcasts.

ShipStation: Go to shipstation.com and use code GREATNESS to sign up for your FREE trial.

Shopify: Sign up for a $1/month trial period at shopify.com/darius.

Stash: Don’t let your savings sit around - make it work harder for you. Go to get.stash.com/GREATNESS to see how you can receive $25 towards your first stock purchase and to view important disclosures.

Connect with Jhana:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jhana-li

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thejhanali/

Twitter: https://x.com/thejhanali

Connect with Darius:

Website: https://therealdarius.com/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dariusmirshahzadeh/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/imthedarius/

YouTube: https://therealdarius.com/youtube

Book: The Core Value Equation https://www.amazon.com/Core-Value-Equation-Framework-Limitless/dp/1544506708

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