The Rising Leader Maximizing the Impact of a Chief of Staff: Insights from a Top Executive Coach with Laurie Arron
In this week's episode, I had the pleasure of speaking with Laurie Aron, the founder of Aron Coaching LLC and author of the book "Who Has Your Back? A Leader's Guide to Getting the Support You Need from the Chief of Staff You Deserve." We delved into the vital role of a chief of staff and how they can be a trusted advisor to CEOs. Laurie shared valuable insights on the qualities of a successful chief of staff, the importance of being a candid truth-teller, and their impact on a leader's effectiveness.
Laurie Aron founded Aron Coaching LLC, a premier executive coaching firm based in Dallas, Texas. With over 27 years of experience in corporate Fortune 10 companies, Laurie has gained expertise in sales leadership, operations, strategic planning, and business transformation. She has also served as chief of staff to senior executives and is recognized as one of the top 20 coaches in Dallas. Laurie's passion lies in being a trusted advisor and executive coach to C-suite executives, helping them navigate their roles and maximize their impact. Her book, "Who Has Your Back?" provides valuable insights into leadership dynamics and the vital connection between leaders and their chiefs of staff.
"CEOs are very busy people. They need the truth like they need oxygen."
~Laurie Arron
This Week on Rising Leader:
· A chief of staff is a relationship builder and must have the ability to build trust and rapport with the CEO and other team members.
· Trustworthiness is a crucial trait for a chief of staff, as they need to be able to handle sensitive and confidential information.
· A chief of staff should be able to speak truth to power and provide candid feedback to the CEO.
· They should have strong communication skills and the ability to convey information in a way that is heard and understood by others.
· A chief of staff should be action-oriented and can turn abstract ideas into tangible results.
· They should have strong business acumen and understand how different parts of the organization are interconnected.
· The chemistry between the CEO and chief of staff is essential, as they will work closely together and need a good working relationship.
· A chief of staff's role differs from that of an executive assistant or a COO, and it is crucial to understand the distinctions between these roles when hiring or considering a chief of staff.
Resources and Connections:
"Who Has Your Back? A Leader's Guide to Getting the Support You Need from the Chief of Staff You Deserve" - Laurie Arron
The Rising Leader Handbook (to be published in January 2024)
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