Thread by @girdley

PSA: You need a Chief of Staff.

I hired one last year:

My productivity doubled – and I’m having a ton more fun.

I wish I’d done it years ago.

Here's how I did it:

Let’s start with what a Chief of Staff isn’t.

This is NOT an Executive Assistant.

While there are bits of menial work, the role is high-level.

The CoS covers my “messy middle” of necessary projects.

Too complex for an EA.

But things that someone else could own/accelerate.

My CoS (hi @_robyn_smith!) does high-level projects like:

• Lead a hiring process
• Run a diligence process for one-off M&A
• Choose a vendor
• Run annual employee review process

I can’t delegate these to existing teammates.

But these things must get done.

There are many Chief of Staff “flavors”

But this is mine:

Robyn reports directly to me.

And functions as a "smoke jumper": she parachutes into strategic spots.

She’s a teammate in every big project and helps make things happen.

A CoS is a force multiplier for me.

Done right, a CoS has full access.

They come to many/most meetings.

Robyn knows my near-term and long-term plans.

She’ll work with all my direct reports at some point.

And there’s a high level of trust.

What I want in a Chief of Staff:

• Smart
• Good decision-making, and can make (somewhat) risky calls
• Gritty
• Attention to detail
• Enjoys multitasking
• Likable
• Ambitious

It’s an excellent opportunity for young early career people.

They get:
• Exposure an early career person would never otherwise see
• Often end up in a senior role
• See the whole business
• Move on (up) in 1-2 years

Much better than getting a low-level jobby job!

For me, finding a CoS is easy:

I just tweet about it.

If you’re not there, I recommend two paths:

• Network to find referrals (tons of young people want these jobs)
• Identify hustlers in your current org and pitch them on the role

It’s easier than you think.

Here’s Robyn’s Chief of Staff job description.

If you want the template for it, subscribe to my newsletter.

I'll send it to you for free:

girdley.com/subscribe-cos

The CoS role is getting more popular.

Startup people are in the lead in using it.

But more SMB people need to do this.

What do you think? Am I crazy? What questions do you have?

Reply below.

And retweets/likes are always appreciated:

https://twitter.com/girdley/status/1657358781163143168