The Chief of Staff Podcast

Ready to land a coveted Chief of Staff position? Listen to this episode as we break down 10 practical tips to help you secure an influential role. Drawing from conversations with Chiefs of Staff and from David Nebinski's own experiences, you will hear insights on networking, relationship building, and much more. If you are looking for a new role, this episode is for you. Learn more about the Chief of Staff Network's membership and upcoming events on our website: https://www.chiefofstaff.network/

In this episode, you will learn from Crystelle Desnoyer about her experiences and insights into the Chief of Staff role. She used to be the CoS at Techstars. Crystelle discusses her journey from building and scaling 20+ business entities and her scaling framework. Crystelle emphasized the importance of building trust, stakeholder mapping, and managing conflicts. She also highlighted the challenges of balancing internal and external focus and the need for self-care to avoid burnout as a CoS. If you are a new CoS or are looking to scale your role, this episode for you. Learn more about our membership and events here: https://www.chiefofstaff.network/

Are you looking to be paid more fairly? In this episode, Rahul Desai and David Nebinski discuss the Chief of Staff Network’s 2024 Salary Report. You will learn about how you might be able to use this data as an in-role CoS. We also discuss the CoS job market and our State of Chief of Staff Jobs report. If you are looking to better understand Chief of Staff compensation, this episode is for you!  Learn more about the Chief of Staff Network's membership and upcoming events here: https://www.chiefofstaff.network/

In this episode, you will learn about how Sydney Scherer landed her current role by sending a creative email advocating for herself and a CoS role. She contrasts and overlap her current CoS experience with her prior CoS role, noting the shift to more creative, media-focused work. Both of those CoS roles happened after leaving the consulting industry. Sydney also emphasizes the importance of aligning with one's passions and pushing beyond comfort zones. In addition, she advises aspiring Chiefs of Staff to lean on their community and take calculated risks. Learn more about the Chief of Staff Network's membership and upcoming events here: https://www.chiefofstaff.network/

In this episode with Teddy Owen, the Chief of Staff at Moonhub, you will learn about his career journey to date and how it helped him get his current CoS role. Teddy highlighted the strategic use of third-party vendors for areas like finance and legal to build a team around yourself as a CoS. He also stressed the value of networking and building a support system to navigate the often-lonely role of a Chief of Staff.  Teddy also emphasized the importance of leveraging AI tools like ChatGPT and Claude. You will also learn about when he has seen companies hire a CoS and why. Learn more about the Chief of Staff Network's membership and upcoming events here: https://www.chiefofstaff.network/

In this episode, we talk with Dara Chen, the Chief of Staff at Rad AI. Dara shared her journey to her current role, highlighting the importance of networking and leveraging her Wharton alumni network, and her prior CoS experiences. She emphasized the value of being organized and detail-oriented while also strategic to help a company operate and build the company’s culture. Dara also shared her experience taking over the recruiting function, focusing on creating efficient processes and aligning teams. She underscored the evolving nature of the Chief of Staff role, which involves balancing strategic thinking with detailed execution and fostering strong relationships within the leadership team. Learn more about the Chief of Staff Network's membership and upcoming events here: https://www.chiefofstaff.network/

In this episode, we talk with Michael Novak, a Principal of Strategy and Business Operations at Adobe and former CoS, about his career journey. Michael discusses his non-traditional path, including his time as a project manager, his mental health struggles, and his transition into the Chief of Staff role through networking. He highlights the differences between being a Chief of Staff and working in Strategy and Operations, emphasizing the importance of identifying organizational gaps and planning. Michael also touches on the significance of well-being and mental health, advocating for living a values-based life and maintaining calm in stressful situations. Learn more about the Chief of Staff Network's membership and upcoming events here: https://www.chiefofstaff.network/

Sue Broderick, the Chief of Staff at We Know Training, discussed her career trajectory, highlighting her transition from an executive assistant to a Chief of Staff. She contrasted the public and private sector roles, noting the public sector's political pressures and accountability. You will learn about the importance of relationship building, loyalty, and straight talk as a CoS. Sue also discussed the significance of CEOs publicly supporting their Chiefs of Staff, which enhances the role's influence and execution.  Learn more about the Chief of Staff Network's membership and upcoming events here: https://www.chiefofstaff.network/

Rico Ashab, the Chief of Staff at Destination DC, discusses his career progression from EA to Chief of Staff, emphasizing the importance of relationship building. He highlights the growth of Destination DC from 180 to ~500 employees and the creation of his Chief of Staff role in January 2023. Rico also shares insights on managing relationships with his CEO, effective communication strategies, and the significance of in-person interactions.  Learn about the Chief of Staff Network's membership and events here: https://www.chiefofstaff.network/

In this episode, we chat with Alex Cherucheril, the Head of Business Operations and former CoS at Welcome Tech in Los Angeles. Alex discusses the evolving role of Chief of Staff, noting that over 50% of CoS roles may now come from internal promotions. He highlights the importance of adaptability, flexibility, and a strategic mindset for Chief of Staffs. Alex emphasizes the value of community among Chief of Staffs to combat loneliness and shares insights on the interview process, suggesting that candidates should approach the role with a specific learning hypothesis. David and Alex also discuss the significance of a strong relationship with the principal for job satisfaction. Alex has hosted two CoS events with us in LA. Our next LA CoS Mixer is on Thursday November 14th. Join us! Learn more about our membership and events on our website: https://www.chiefofstaff.network/