If You’re New to the Chief of Staff Role But Want to Succeed, This Blog Is for You
So, you're curious about the Chief of Staff role? Or maybe you're new to the position and looking to level up? This blog post breaks down key takeaways from an insightful podcast featuring Eric, a Chief of Staff at Zego, offering practical advice and real-world applications. Let's dive in!
Key Takeaways:
Diverse Experience is a Superpower: Don't feel pressured to specialize too early. Eric's background in economics, competitive intelligence, and revenue operations gave him a broad understanding of the business, which was invaluable in his role as Chief of Staff.
Data Needs Context: It's not enough to just present numbers. You need to be able to interpret data and explain what it means for the business, considering market forces, business priorities, and budget.
Stay Organized and Archive Your Work: Use tools like Trello to manage tasks, track progress, and maintain a record of your accomplishments. This helps you stay on top of things and provides a valuable reference point for future projects.
Real-World Applications:
Strategic Alignment: An executive sets a goal to increase customer retention. The Chief of Staff breaks this down for the sales team by focusing on upselling existing clients, for the product team by prioritizing features that improve user engagement, and for the success team by creating proactive support initiatives.
Financial Acumen: When working through a P&L, the Chief of Staff uses their financial knowledge to anticipate questions from the finance team and provide the necessary information upfront, streamlining the process.
Feedback and Improvement: The Chief of Staff recommends "Radical Candor" to team members and implements its principles to provide direct, honest feedback, fostering a culture of continuous improvement. For example, pulling someone aside to let them know about a presentation that was not well received, and offering suggestions for improvement.
Notable Quotes:
"The chief of staff isn't just a title, a person; it represents a leadership philosophy".
"You need to be really open to feedback... you should be able to break yourself down in certain ways in order to be successful to unlearn bad habits or you know learn new good habits as well".
"If you don't point out someone's blind spots, they're just going to keep trucking along".
The Chief of Staff role is multifaceted, demanding a diverse skill set, adaptability, and strong communication abilities. By embracing feedback, staying organized, and understanding the nuances of data and communication, you can thrive in this challenging and rewarding position.
Eric also offers advice for both people stepping into the role of Chief of Staff and CEOs who are getting a new Chief of Staff.
(00:06) Introduction to Leveraging Leadership
(00:15) Understanding the Role of Chief of Staff
(00:51) Guest Introduction: Eric's Journey to Chief of Staff
(01:04) Eric's Background and Experience
(02:46) Eric's Role Progression at Zego
(04:45) The Transition to Chief of Staff
(07:23) Building Relationships as Chief of Staff
(08:30) The Role of a Chief of Staff in a Company
(13:55) Eric's Approach to Organization and Time Management
(17:27) Influences and Role Models in Eric's Career
(19:21) Advice for Incoming Chiefs of Staff and Executives
(24:06) Final Thoughts and Recommendations
Reach out to Eric:
Connect with Eric on LinkedIn.
Visit Zego’s Website.
About The Author
Emily Sander is an ICF-certified leadership coach with more than 15 years of experience in the business world and the author of Hacking Executive Leadership. She’s been featured in several print publications, online articles, and podcasts, including CEO Today Magazine, Leading to Fulfillment, and Leadership Powered by Common Sense.
Emily has a passion for helping business leaders reach their full potential. Go here to read her story from seasoned executive to knowledgeable coach. If you want to send Emily a quick message, then visit her contact page here.