Career Evolution: Sarah's Path to Chief of Staff and Future Aspirations
Ever wonder how an Executive Assistant (EA) makes the leap to Chief of Staff? In this episode of Leveraging Leadership, Emily Sander chats with Sarah, who shares her experience from EA to Chief of Staff. Sarah reveals how she created the opportunity for herself and the changes she made in her mindset and approach to be successful.
Key Takeaways:
Seize Opportunities: When Sarah's executive left the company, she saw a chance to pitch herself for a Chief of Staff role. She prepared a presentation and job description, highlighting her skills and what she could bring to the company.
Strategic Thinking: Transitioning from an EA to a Chief of Staff requires a shift from a task-oriented mindset to strategic thinking. Instead of focusing on a checklist, Sarah learned to connect the dots across the organization.
Continuous Learning: Sarah emphasizes the importance of seeking information and learning from others. She draws inspiration from various leaders and incorporates their approaches into her own style.
Notable Quotes:
"When you speak something into the universe, you better be ready."
"You can't use the same tools that you use to excel in your EA career as a chief of staff. You have to do a shift in your paradigm and your mindset".
"I just keep on getting back up on the horse, I'm just not worried about failure".
Real-World Application:
Pitching a Promotion: An EA who wants to become a Chief of Staff can create a presentation outlining their skills and how they align with the company's needs. For example, if the company needs better cross-functional communication, the EA can highlight their experience in coordinating projects across different departments.
Leading Meetings: Instead of just taking notes, a Chief of Staff can lead executive-level meetings, suggest agenda items, and call out important issues. For instance, a Chief of Staff might suggest that the team needs to address a specific problem rather than going down another path.
Seeking Feedback: A new Chief of Staff can ask executives for feedback after meetings to identify areas for improvement. Asking, “How did that go? Is there something else we could have done better?”.
Sarah's experience shows that with resourcefulness, a willingness to learn, and a shift in mindset, an EA can successfully transition to a Chief of Staff role. By identifying opportunities, thinking strategically, and communicating effectively, you can level up your career and make a real impact on your organization.
(0:00:06) - Transitioning from Executive Assistant (EA) to Chief of Staff and the overlapping roles of an EA and a Chief of Staff.
(0:06:24) - The challenges and learning experiences during her transition to Chief of Staff from EA
(0:11:50) – How to approach the Chief of Staff role, focusing on communication techniques and leveraging her skillset.
(0:21:26) - Personal growth, career advancement, and the different tools she has used to stay organized and manage her time effectively.
Connect with Sarah on LinkedIn.
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.