The Archetypes of the Chief of Staff–Principal Relationship
The Chief of Staff role is one of the most dynamic and least understood in modern leadership. Because it flexes to the needs of the Principal and the organization, no two Chiefs of Staff operate in quite the same way. Yet across hundreds of executives and their lieutenants, recognizable patterns consistently emerge.
Some relationships thrive on deep trust and candid counsel. Others succeed by bringing order to chaos, igniting new initiatives, or weaving alignment across teams. Each of these patterns can create immense value when expressed in a healthy way and each carries risks when taken too far.
To better understand these dynamics, we’ve developed the Chief of Staff Archetypes & Shadows Framework. It distills the role into six core archetypes and their shadow expressions, offering a language to reflect on your current state and a roadmap for growth.
This framework is not a prescription. It is a tool: a way to see your partnership with greater clarity, recognize unproductive tendencies before they take root, and expand into a fuller expression of the role.
👉 Download the full framework using the form above to explore all the archetypes and their healthy and shadow expressions.
👉 Take the quiz below to discover which archetype you are and get tailored growth guidance.
Find your Archetype.
Answer the following questions based on your current experience and relationship with your Principal and team. We'll email you the results of your Archetype.
