Considering a Chief of Staff?
Many founders ponder the need for a chief of staff and their potential responsibilities. It's an individual choice; while some founder-CEOs find value in having one, others manage without. If you're considering this route, here are some guidelines:
A chief of staff should amplify your capacity. Their role isn't merely about managing your calendar or overseeing other staff for you. While some EAs might adopt the chief of staff title, it's distinct from a senior EA position. A chief of staff is more about handling business-related tasks, such as spearheading specific projects or streamlining executive team processes by collating metrics and setting agendas. Ideally, this role is best suited for someone with prior business acumen rather than a novice in the industry.
Avoid emulating a governmental chief of staff model. It's not beneficial to erect a barrier between you and your executive team, where they feel obligated to liaise through the chief of staff to reach you. Delegating your leadership or filtering information through someone can be a practice in governmental settings, but it's counterproductive in startups. Such an arrangement can decelerate processes and potentially foster discontent among your team.
If you identify a chief of staff model that enhances your efficiency, think about making it a rotational position. Attracting high-caliber individuals for an extended tenure in this role can be challenging. Companies like Amazon have adopted a rotational approach, where adept executives serve a year or two as a chief of staff to leaders like Jeff Bezos or Andy Jassy, after which they transition to other leadership capacities within the organization.
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