A standard job description often fails to capture the full scope and complexity of a chief of staff's dynamic role. The Chief of Staff Framework, developed through years of experience across diverse industries, provides a comprehensive approach beyond a typical job description. This framework offers Chiefs of Staff a strategic lens through which they can evaluate their role, ensuring they effectively support their principal and the broader organization.
The framework emphasizes a four-step progression for Chiefs of Staff:
- Principal Execution: Ensure your principal is focused on executing their priorities.
- Organizational Synchronization: Facilitate synchronization across the organization, ensuring aligned and operationally efficient teams.
- Trust Building: Establish trust within the organization, positioning yourself as an honest broker and key facilitator.
- Strategic Advising: Once trust is established, evolve into the role of a trusted advisor, providing strategic counsel to your principal.
By following this framework, Chiefs of Staff can navigate their role more effectively, avoiding common pitfalls and ensuring their efforts are aligned with the needs of their principal and the broader organization. This tool not only aids in self-assessment but also fosters productive dialogue with the principal to ensure alignment on priorities and time management.
Cricket Oles, a McChrystal Group partner, walks through the framework and how Chiefs can utilize it to realize their full impact in this Weekly Whiteboard.
Chief of Staff Framework
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