I’ve sometimes been asked, “What qualities do I need to become a strong Chief of Staff?”

First, why is the Chief of Staff role important?

A strong Chief of Staff plays a pivotal role in facilitating an organization’s success by acting as a bridge between executive leadership, key initiatives, and various functional areas.

Now that we’ve established the importance of the role, here are 14 attributes that are essential to excel as a Chief of Staff:

1. Deep Understanding of Operations and Strategy

A Chief of Staff must understand the company’s operations and strategic objectives fairly deeply. This includes a keen awareness of not only the company’s specific industry/sector, but also the bigger picture (global business landscape, financial markets, and the macro-economy). Having this knowledge allows them to align their efforts with the organization’s vision effectively.

2. Strategic Thinker

Strong Chiefs of Staff have a knack for strategic thinking. They can not only grasp the big picture but also identify specific opportunities and challenges. (My previous CEO would ask each participant for their SWOT analysis after every external meeting with investors, partners, vendors, etc., which helped hone this skill in me.) This skill is vital when working on critical initiatives and projects such as international expansion and program development.

3. Self Awareness

People will perceive you differently in this role. You’re no longer “your name”. You’re “(the CEO name)’s Chief of Staff”. So the words you say and actions you take are going to land differently. Keep this in mind in your approach.

4. Egoless Mindset

Chiefs of Staff must prioritize collaboration, teamwork, and the greater good over personal ego and individual recognition. I’m this way, and I know it’s not easy for most people to be like this, but it is necessary for success in the role.

This is often associated with agile methodology, where teams are encouraged to be self-organizing and focused on delivering value (which is how I prefer to work). It also leads to more effective and efficient teamwork, minimizing conflicts and competition among team members.

5. Superior Communication Skills

Effective communication is key. Chiefs of Staff are responsible for conveying insights, coordinating efforts, and ensuring that information flows seamlessly between executives and teams. They must be adept at summarizing complex ideas and presenting them clearly to leaders. And they must be able to communicate effectively, precisely, and succinctly.

6. Engendering Trust

Trust is defined here as “consistency over time” – meaning consistently deliver and have sensitivity around conversations of confidential topics. The more you can do that, the more trust you will build with the team over time.

7. Organizational and Productivity Skills

Chiefs of Staff must be self-starters who can take ownership of juggling multiple projects, stakeholders, and deliverables, prioritize them all effectively, and manage multiple tasks with competing deadlines. Their ability to bring together various stakeholders and drive decisions is crucial, aligning with the company’s values of excellence.

8. Growth Mindset

The ability to learn from mistakes and not make the same ones again is very important.

9. Adaptability and Resiliency:

In their capacity as strategic thought partners, Chiefs of Staff often need to switch between supporting leadership directly and working on organization-wide projects. This adaptability enables them to seamlessly transition between these roles as needed.

They also need resiliency in the face of adversity when things don’t go well.

10.  Track Record of Accomplishment

A successful Chief of Staff usually brings a track record of accomplishments in previous roles. This can include achievements in business development, operations, and other relevant areas. This history of delivering results demonstrates their ability to drive projects forward.

11.  Multidisciplinary Background

Given the multifaceted nature of the role, a strong Chief of Staff typically has a multidisciplinary background. Experience in fields, such as management consulting, venture capital, fintech, and corporate development provides a well-rounded perspective that can be invaluable in supporting leadership.

12.  Global Perspective

Given the international nature of business today, Chiefs of Staff are sometimes required to travel frequently to engage with partners and stakeholders worldwide. This global perspective can be critical when expanding into new markets.

13.  Evaluation and Decision-Making

Chiefs of Staff evaluate proposals and initiatives critically, exercise independent judgment, and make recommendations to senior leaders. Their decisions contribute to the overall strategy and direction of the company.

14.  Commitment to Company Values

Finally, a strong Chief of Staff upholds and embodies the core values of the company. Their high integrity, commitment to a multistakeholder approach, mindfulness, and unwavering dedication to excellence reflect and reinforce the company’s culture.

In conclusion, a strong Chief of Staff brings a combination of operational expertise, strategic thinking, excellent communication, and typically, a history of accomplishments. They act as a critical partner to executive leadership and play a key role in driving the organization’s goals and objectives forward.

What is your opinion? Feel free to contribute in the comments below.

Keywords: #chiefofstaff #cos

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