Most CEOs reach a point where their calendar is full, their executive team is stretched, and important projects start slipping through the cracks. The company is growing, but the pace is messy. What’s missing is often not another executive hire. It’s a Chief of Staff.
What is a Chief of Staff in a Company?
A Chief of Staff is not just an upgraded executive assistant. They are an operational partner who sits alongside the CEO and the leadership team. While an EA helps manage schedules and logistics, a Chief of Staff ensures accountability, clarity, and follow-through across the business.
Unlike a COO, who typically takes on external responsibilities and long-term strategic initiatives, the Chief of Staff focuses on the daily rhythm of the executive team. They keep meetings on track, capture decisions, and make sure deliverables don’t fall into a black hole.
Why Startups and Growing Companies Need a Chief of Staff
Fast-growing companies, especially in rising hubs like Boise and other secondary cities, often hit a wall when the team scales past 25 or 50 people. The founder or CEO is suddenly expected to lead vision, manage strategy, and track execution all at once. That combination doesn’t last.
This is where the Chief of Staff role becomes invaluable. They bring operational excellence to the table and keep special projects moving forward. They give CEOs the bandwidth to focus on growth instead of being pulled into the weeds.
Core Responsibilities of a Chief of Staff
The responsibilities of a Chief of Staff shift depending on the company stage, but the themes are consistent. They:
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Manage executive team meetings by setting agendas, capturing minutes, and tracking deliverables.
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Keep accountability alive by following up on action items during the week.
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Handle special projects that cut across departments but don’t have a natural home.
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Act as a sounding board and buffer, helping the CEO manage the emotional dynamics of a leadership team.
In short, the Chief of Staff creates order in the chaos of rapid growth.
Chief of Staff vs COO: Which One Do You Need?
Many founders debate whether to bring on a COO or a Chief of Staff. At the early stage, a COO is often too senior and too expensive. The role also tends to be more strategic and external facing.
The Chief of Staff, on the other hand, is deeply operational. They manage execution and ensure the executive team stays aligned. For a startup or growing company, this is usually the smarter first step. Later, as the company matures, some teams evolve from having a Chief of Staff into adding a COO to complement the leadership structure.
Benefits of Having a Chief of Staff for Company Growth
When a CEO hires a Chief of Staff, the benefits are immediate. The CEO gains time back for vision and strategy. The leadership team functions with more discipline. Projects stop falling through the cracks. And the culture improves because accountability feels shared instead of pushed down from the top.
The Chief of Staff becomes the growth multiplier. They don’t replace leaders, they make leaders more effective.
Case Study: How the Chief of Staff Role Changed My Company
When I was building Social Tables, I realized too many tasks were being left unfinished. I didn’t have a COO and I couldn’t both lead meetings and track every deliverable. So I promoted my EA, Kristin, into the newly created Chief of Staff role.
There was no playbook, but the need was clear. Kristin owned meeting minutes, followed up on deliverables, and handled the emotions that surfaced within the executive team. That freed me to focus on leading the business rather than managing details. Looking back, creating that role was one of the best decisions I made as a CEO.
How to Know if Your Company Needs a Chief of Staff
Not every company is ready for a Chief of Staff. But if you are seeing these signs, it may be time:
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The CEO spends more time tracking tasks than leading strategy
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Executive meetings feel unproductive or lack follow-through
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Special projects are stalling or being abandoned
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The leadership team feels overwhelmed with no clear accountability
In fast-growing markets like Boise and other emerging business centers, these signs appear earlier than most founders expect. Once you cross 25 to 50 employees, the Chief of Staff role often shifts from nice-to-have to non-negotiable.
Final Thoughts: The Chief of Staff as a Growth Multiplier
Every growing company reaches a point where vision alone is not enough. Execution, accountability, and structure become just as important as strategy. The Chief of Staff brings those qualities into the executive team without weighing down the organization with another traditional executive role.
The best CEOs don’t try to do everything themselves. They surround themselves with the right roles to make their teams effective. And the Chief of Staff, more than almost any other role, is the one that allows a company to scale without losing its focus.
