Idea in Brief
The Problem
CEOs face a daunting workload. To make the most of precious time, they need the right information to speed decision-making and the right follow-up on projects they delegate. A good executive assistant can help with scheduling and administration, but many CEOs need additional support.
The Solution
The chief of staff role originated in politics and the military, and now CEOs are increasingly embracing it. A top-level CoS serves as an air traffic controller, an integrator, a communicator, an honest broker and truth teller, and a confidant.
The Implementation
Which level of CoS a leader needs depends on the challenges facing the organization and the magnitude of change the CEO is trying to drive.
When new CEOs with a change mandate take over a company, they typically invest time in reshaping its strategy and determining the kind of culture needed to succeed. Those choices guide other decisions, including who their senior managers will be and how the leaders will allocate their time.