Take the Leap: EA to Chief of Staff
A how-to guide
If you’re an Executive Assistant (EA) interested in transitioning into a Chief of Staff role, we have some helpful tips to navigate discussions with your leadership.
First, take the time to REFLECT.
Take a deep breath. Really clear your head.
Close your eyes and think about the following questions: What's going well on your leader's team? What are the things they repeatedly talk about? What isn’t going well? Which leaders aren't coming through in the ways they should? What processes could be developed to drive efficiency? Pausing to reflect about these topics will help you be strategic about your next steps.
Next, build your network of support.
If you’re not already having 1:1 meetings with everyone on your executive leadership team, now is a good time to start. You should discuss with them what’s going well, current pain points they’re experiencing, and ways that you could help move things along. Not only will you become a more trusted resource, but you’ll seem very invested in the success of the business and have a new list of problems to solve for your team.
It’s always a good idea to build your network with your next job in mind. While you may be content with your current role or organization, don’t rule out bigger and better opportunities on the horizon. Where do you ideally want to work? What are you naturally curious about? As EAs and Chiefs of Staff, we have the unique opportunity to learn how a business works from the top down and insights can be helpful for beginning to construct a professional network that provides value to your long term career goals. Ask yourself: Who are the key players in your company and what can you learn from them about their tasks? Setting up informational 1:1s is a good place to learn about different levels of responsibility.
Make sure to speak up (more).
If you find yourself in a meeting with a lightbulb solution to a problem, SHARE IT. Do so in a way that is genuine, authentically you, and courteous to those around you. It will help build your executive presence and point to your potential as a business partner when you ensure your good ideas are heard.
Build your skills and showcase your competence.
Get good at the things you want to be doing. Put a start/stop/continue list together of your responsibilities in your current role versus once promoted to your desired position. Think strategically about your ideal job title, pay, and timeline before scheduling a meeting to discuss these specifics. Network externally with people with the same job title to ask questions about what they do and how they do it, so you can get a sense of your existing strengths and weaknesses.
Think about the tangible assets you could put together that clues your executive in on your high-level strategizing abilities and commitment to the leader’s priorities. For example, is your leader prepared for ALL business meetings and events? If not, you can create and recommend a process to brief a leader before they step foot into an engagement. You can also make recommendations on things like project management, event opportunities, or other areas where you shine to show your leader that you’re thinking critically on how to improve operations.
If you’re ready to level up from an EA to a Chief of Staff but want to sharpen up some skills before you get there, we created Nova Chief of Staff Certification to provide people with an opportunity to gain confidence via hands-on practice before the stakes are high. Our online course modules are built from real-life functions of a Chief of Staff, providing you with an opportunity to refine your presentation skills, decision making, organization, command of technology, and more. We can help you take the leap.
To see if Nova’s online course is right for you, request a copy of our course syllabus here.