The Chief of Staff Podcast

In this episode, you will learn from Ashlea Holt and Tim Bristow about the art and science of getting stuff done in the modern workplace. From using ChatGPT, to navigating the Wild West of new productivity tools, they share hard-won insights on when efficiency isn't king, why direction matters more than speed, and the challenges of implementing tools at a company. You will also learn about why it may be better to pilot new tools initially, why consistency beats intensity every time, honest takes on AI dependency, decision fatigue, and protecting the human fundamentals that matter most. Listen to this episode to level-up as a Chief of Staff!You can learn more about the Chief of Staff Network’s membership, upcoming events and courses on our website: https://www.chiefofstaff.network/

In this insightful chat, Audrey Ware, a Chief of Staff at a startup, shares her transformation tales and effective change management strategies. Fanni Gabor, also a Chief of Staff, emphasizes creating organizational flow, especially during high growth. They discuss the realities of managing expectations amid delays and the critical role of addressing change head-on. The conversation dives into navigating AI's impact on the workplace and the necessity of building buy-in through strategic feedback. Get ready to enhance your leadership skills with their candid insights!

Join Richard Hoffman, Chief of Staff at a FinTech startup, and Eve Staszczyszyn, Head of Ops and fellow Chief of Staff, as they discuss their vital roles in creating value. They share a framework for enhancing company culture, driving innovation, and balancing immediate tasks with long-term goals. Both guests emphasize the significance of flexibility, strategic alignment, and effective communication. Dive into their insights on managing partnerships and the critical impact of workplace culture on organizational success.

Cher Murphy shares her journey from managing department stores in Alabama to being the Chief of Staff at Sydecar in NYC. You will learn how she networked her way into tech, overcame the challenge of being "too good" as an EA, and built strategic capabilities beyond administrative work. You will also learn about her use of Custom AI workflows and GPTs for executive communication, and Notion dashboards as operational "control centers.” Excited for you to level-up as a Chief of Staff!You can learn more about the Chief of Staff Network’s membership, upcoming events and courses  on our website: https://www.chiefofstaff.network/ 

Jessica Li, the former Chief of Staff at Beacons and its first employee, shares her fascinating journey in the startup world. She discusses the critical importance of complementary skills between herself and her CEO, leveraging tools like Clifton Strengths and Six Working Geniuses to enhance team dynamics. Jessica reflects on evolving from foundational tasks to managing technical product development and emphasizes building strong relationships. She also touches on the challenges of balancing work with personal identity, highlighting the value of self-reflection for career growth.

To get a Chief of Staff role you may have to overcome a lot of rejections to get the role. For Adaeze Okioli, the Chief of Staff at Rethink Food, she initially got rejected for an internship role at Rethink but secured the Chief of Staff position after a networking opportunity and a pivotal lunch meeting with her principal. To gel with her principal and other leaders, Adaeze emphasizes the importance of vulnerability, transparency, and empathy within the organization. She also highlights the use of AI tools like ChatGPT to streamline her work and advises aspiring Chiefs of Staff to thoroughly research and align with their principals. Excited for you to level-up as a Chief of Staff!You can learn more about the Chief of Staff Network’s membership, upcoming events and courses  on our website: https://www.chiefofstaff.network/

Is your company and executive team wanting to use and roll-out AI usage more broadly at your company? This potential initiative is a perfect example of a Chief of Staff project because it's new, innovative, and no one else or team is likely overseeing it. In this episode with Abhishek Vora, the Chief of Staff at LaunchDarkly, you will learn about his role in AI adoption, usage, and roll-out. Excited for you to level-up as a Chief of Staff!You can learn more about the Chief of Staff Network’s membership, upcoming events and courses  on our website: https://www.chiefofstaff.network/

Are you looking to break into a Chief of Staff role? Maybe you could start as an Associate Chief of Staff and then get promoted to a CoS role. That's what happened to Trust & Will Chief of Staff Ada Madigan. In this episode, you will learn how her role has evolved, how she is focused on helping build the company, and so much more. Excited for you to level-up as a CoS!You can learn more about the Chief of Staff Network’s membership, upcoming events and courses  on our website: https://www.chiefofstaff.network/

In this discussion, Andrew Rea, the Co-founder and CEO of Taxwire, and David Moon, the Chief of Staff, reveal the gritty reality of startup life. Andrew emphasizes the need for constant communication and a deep understanding of a CEO's priorities. David shares insights on cold starting processes and systemizing strategies vital for market entry. They highlight the importance of trust and adaptability in early-stage startups, illustrating how tackling varied tasks shapes a successful venture. Get ready to learn what it really means to 'eat glass' in the startup world!

Are you looking to use AI more in your role? Listen to this new episode with Ana Flávia Silva, a Chief of Staff at Section. In the episode, you will learn about why she got up-to-speed on AI while interviewing for her role and how she has been using AI regularly since. In particular, in this episode, we talk about Claude and Claude Projects, and she and Section have been using this tool. You will also learn about a framework to think about how and when to potentially use AI in your role. Excited for you to level-up as a CoS!You can learn more about the Chief of Staff Network’s membership, upcoming events and courses  on our website: https://www.chiefofstaff.network/