Nurturing the EA-CoS Relationship
Listen up, this is important
When you’re in a Chief of Staff (CoS) role, one of the most important relationships you have is with your leader's Executive Assistant, or EA.
The Executive Assistant can be your closest ally and your most utilized resource in the CoS role. But a new EA-CoS relationship is a particularly delicate matter–especially if the CoS position is new to your organization or leadership team and the EA has been in their role for a while. It’s something to handle carefully, because this relationship is far more important than perfecting any deliverable.
We repeat: the CoS + EA relationship is far more important than perfecting any deliverable.
It is normal for a new CoS hiring announcement to ruffle feathers. It’s also normal for an EA (or anyone) to be wary of a new person supporting their leader, and to have concern about what downstream effects this may have on day-to-day operations.
Now is the time to step into the Chief of Staff role with the intention to build trust. Once you gain the respect of the EA, you can really start to move mountains! The question remains: HOW do you build and nurture the EA-CoS relationship?
Here are some tips from the perspective for the Chief of Staff:
Approach humbly and assume the best
Prioritize learning mindset in the first couple months
Shadow the EA enough to *truly* understand what they do every day
Take the time to really grasp the EA's goals in role, likes, and dislikes
Understand that the EA may be nervous about their role changing
And if you’re the Executive Assistant, you’ll want to:
Also assume the best
Approach the relationship with a teaching mindset
Be prepared for some change and process improvements
Take the time to understand the Chief of Staff's goals
Ready for a high-achiever who will want to make an impact quickly.
People in both roles should focus on intentionally getting to know each other and building a positive relationship through genuine interest in their life. Talk about your kids, family, hobbies, favorite lunch options, quirks, ideal weekend, travel spots, etc.
Sounds simple enough, but it’s not always easy. Show up with an open mind and a willingness to learn, communicate, and amplify each other’s work. If you keep working to nurture an intentional relationship with your EA, you’ll eventually have a strong alliance and a solid working foundation.
Do you have any insights or suggestions for folks navigating the EA-CoS relationship? We’d love to hear it. Drop us a line on social media @novachiefofstaff.