Superpowers = Supercharged Vision

Chief of Staff Role: Trends & Impact

Why and when would an organization bring on a Chief of Staff? What’s the difference between a Chief of Staff and a Chief Operating Officer or an Executive Assistant? 

Fortunately, more businesses are figuring out how and where to plug in this strategic role to drive impact.

The role of Chief of Staff (CoS) has piqued my interest as I explore the next phase of my career as an avenue to leverage my broader MBA, business strategy, leadership, and team building skills. I can see myself filling this role particularly in mission/purpose-driven organizations and in startup and high growth environments.

After additional research and spending 4 weekly sessions with the Chief of Staff rockstars at Vannin in their CoS Accelerator Program, I’m even more charged up for pivoting my career to this strategic, high-impact role. The intersection of strategy, culture, and cross-functional collaboration align with my career history of being tapped to own high-stakes, complex, and pivotal projects and being known to make the complex simple along with a bias to move things forward and to lead through influence.

Supercharge Time, Productive & Impact

In a Harvard Business Review article, “The Case for a Chief of Staff”, Dan Ciampa, a leading authority on CEO and senior leader transition and implementing new strategies, notes that a CoS can “help a leader achieve sharp gains in productivity and impact”. Ciampa also defines that “a CoS’s primary duties make time, information, and decision-making more effective.” Ciampa goes on to pose seven questions that can help executives who are looking to increase their effectiveness decide whether a CoS might be helpful.

“A CoS’s primary duties make time, information, and decision-making more effective.”

Dan Ciampa, executive advisor and leading business author

While I won’t divulge the secret sauce from the Vannin CoS accelerator program, here are my key takeaways of the superpowers a Chief of Staff:

The role of CoS has often been vague or undefined, but as a CoS consultancy, Vannin’s mission is to define and elevate the role of CoS to its highest potential for impact on the organization.

At the most basic level, their perspective is that  “a CoS helps a CEO realize their vision for the company and helps drive focus that results in progress.”

“Chiefs of Staff are meant to be drivers of change and a catalyst for alignment.”

Jamie Cole, Vannin Chief of Staff

Vannin’s Chief of Staff Impact Model is built on the hands-on CoS experience of their leadership. Their framework harnesses strategic thinking, Influence, people skills, and technical skills into clear focus for the CoS role. The Impact Model guides a CoS to assess and align six core business elements – vision, operational excellence, rhythm of business, team and culture, opportunities and risks, and business health

With this foundation, an effective CoS can make an impact starting Day 1. Applying the Vannin framework, a CoS provides a roadmap for the CEO to devote appropriate attention – not necessarily equal  attention – to the six key areas of business.

When is a Chief of Staff Most Needed?

Corporate, startup, and nonprofit organizations that are in pivotal periods of change, disruption or growth can benefit from adding this strategic role to their team. 

• Launching a new business
• Merger or acquisition
• International growth
• Market expansion
• New executive team members
• Annual or quarterly planning
• Fundraising milestones
• Complexity of business phase or strategic project

Many organizations will find that bringing on a CoS on a fractional basis is the right level of boost.

Chief of Staff Superpower Snapshot:

The value of a Chief of Staff lies in:

• Bringing the CEO’s (or CXO) vision to life
• Providing strategic focus to CXO
• Facilitating decisions
• Amplifying the impact of the CEO

A Chief of Staff is a Driver:

• Driving vision forward
• Driving work forward
• Driving impact

A Chief of Staff is:

• A dedicated resource to the CEO
• A right hand, thought partner, and trusted advisor
• Not a replace for a COO
• Not a replacement for an EA