Member Directory

Zoom out regularly to take stock of the wind, and gently nudge the CEO's set of the sail

TBD

Step back and evaluate your priorities at least 1x a week

2 lasagnas stacked on top of each other is just 1 lasagna

Be flexible, adaptable, and proactive

Own it, drive for results, always deliver, and bring others along

Be a leader with respect and kindness

Take your responsibility to be the voice of your organization seriously. Be neutral, inclusive, and actively listen.

Listen, and build credibility fast.

Learn to handle ambiguity.

Lead by doing. Nothing is above your paygrade.

The thing to learn best is the decision making framework of one's executive

Your job will change every 6 months (at least in a startup/scaleup)

Remain calm and carry on

A morning standup walk on the phone (we are remote) gets us physically moving and mentally aligned

Leading by asking questions and facilitating others to find a solution is typically stronger than providing the solution yourself.

Be curious, listen and observe, plan and get buy-in before springing into action

Listen; build relationships deep into the organization

Ask a lot of questions and LISTEN to the answer. Helps build trust and gain buy in.

Spend a lot of time developing relationships

COS is a generalist role - identify 1-2 areas where you can become an SME to add value

Design your role to fit your character, not your character to fit your role.

do, what is Play for you, and Work for other.

For team/company/partner initiatives: impossible to get anything done successfully if people don't feel they've been heard throughout the process - even if you'll eventually make a decision or implement a process they don't like. For principals: no matter how closely you work together/how informal your relationship, important to maintain deference re: ultimate authority.

You need to be proactive and find the missing gaps between leadership team and rest of the team

Be an empathetic confidant to not only your executive, but also the broader organization.

So far: Think hard about how you frame the role with others when starting, and set clear boundaries.

Figure out what are your CEO's big priorities and take the medium/small priorities off their plate

Relationships outside of the executive office are just as important as inside. Build these by asking people how you can be of help to them.

Listen more than you talk.

Your job is easier if you believe in the CEO’s vision

Success is highly dependent on the health of your relationship with your leader.

Be crystal clear on your focus (Principal, Leadership Team, Organization) and get yourself OKRs that will drive your focus and impact :)

Have a clear missions statement that employees can rally behind and contribute to

Learn to prioritize

Don't underestimate the advocacy & expectation setting that should happen when starting.

Positive discontent - always search for improvement opportunities

Ask all the dumb questions and set expectations at the outset

Challenge the status quo and offer new perspective

Inbox visibility with the CEO is a game changer (we use our own product for this!)

Try the be the most accessible person in the organisation Strategic Projects - expand delivery to UK CEO Requests Two teams reporting in - Business Intelligence and part-time MBA (strategy associate) NEEDS short term - allocating time coming off 2-3 weeks of belng slammed, coming up for air and seeking next projects What Next - unformed aspirations to start own business

Be intentional in building personal and professional relationships with your closest stakeholders.

ensure and display alignment with your primary every day

...

Task tracker to show progress deadlines and collaboraters

Find your CEO's weak & blind spots and cover down on them & don't bite off more than you can chew

Still learning!

That’s why I’m here!

I am still new at this. Too soon to share a best tip at this point.

Leverage your access!

Speak with every team member at least once a quarter - keeps you grounded and aware across levels.

In every interaction / initiative - set the proper expectations!

Make your own templates.

"Less is more"

Bring intentionality to the work, demonstrate humanity, build trust, & overcommunicate

build trust with the individuals you are the chief of staff for

Write everything down!

Always ask open-ended questions.

Memorialize and circulate an alignment strategy and refer to it at every opportunity.

Listen to understand and not to respond.

Be kind, be curious, have courage!

Don't be afraid to push back on ideas or approaches with which you don't agree

Understanding and utilizing the leverage you have via the CEO

Be aware that this position is never fully defined or structured: this is a huge opportunity.