TL;DR: Crystal Waddell on SEO Leadership
In our first 2024 episode of SEO Leadership, Crystal Waddell shared how to:
Spot and empower A-players.
Develop communication and soft skills alongside technical ability.
Support junior SEOs in their growth.
Tackle imposter syndrome within teams.
Her advice? Strong SEO leadership isn’t just about tactics, it’s about building confident, communicative, and resilient teams.
How Can SEO Leaders Strengthen Their Teams in 2024?
In the first episode of SEO Leadership 2024, the SEO For Hire team kicked off the year with a powerful conversation featuring Crystal Waddell, SEO Coach and host of The Simple and Smart SEO Show.
Crystal shared actionable insights on building, strengthening, and motivating SEO teams, covering topics from spotting top performers to overcoming imposter syndrome.
Here are the key takeaways.
How Do You Identify A-Players on Your SEO Team?
Not every team member is wired the same. The key to building a high-performing SEO team is recognizing who your A-players are, the individuals who consistently deliver, innovate, and take ownership.
Crystal emphasized the importance of:
Spotting proactive problem-solvers.
Giving them leadership opportunities early.
Creating an environment where their strengths elevate the entire team.
Why Are Communication and Soft Skills Just as Important as Technical Skills?
Technical SEO gets the spotlight, but Crystal stressed that communication and soft skills are the real glue holding teams together.
Strong communicators bridge the gap between SEO, marketing, and leadership.
Teams that practice empathy and clear communication resolve problems faster.
Leaders who recognize soft skills build healthier, more sustainable teams.
What Should Junior SEOs Focus on to Grow Faster?
For junior SEOs, Crystal highlighted the need to go beyond just learning tools and tactics. Growth comes from:
Asking better questions.
Practicing clear communication with clients and teammates.
Building confidence through small, consistent wins.
How Can SEOs Combat Imposter Syndrome?
Imposter syndrome is common in SEO, especially for newer professionals. Crystal explained how leaders can help their team members overcome it by:
Celebrating small successes.
Normalizing mistakes as part of growth.
Encouraging collaboration instead of competition.
When SEOs feel supported, they’re more likely to take initiative and think strategically.
Why Was Crystal the Perfect Guest for SEO Leadership?
Crystal’s coaching background and passion for building up SEO professionals made her the ideal guest for the first 2024 episode of SEO Leadership. Her insights aligned perfectly with SEO For Hire’s mission: helping agencies grow with strong, confident, and skilled SEO teams.
