In this episode of The Modern CEO, we unpack the real work behind the title with Cat Shepherd and Nick Langford.
But What Does A Great Chief Of Staff Actually Do?
You’ve probably seen the title “Chief of Staff” more and more in executive teams these days. It sounds impressive but what does a great Chief of Staff actually do behind the scenes?
In this episode of The Modern CEO podcast, I sat down with Cat Shepherd, a powerhouse Chief of Staff who’s defining the role in real time, and Nick Langford from the Chief of Staff Association, to unpack the real work behind the title.
This isn’t the glossy job description version. This is the real talk.
Here’s what we covered:
- Why the best Chiefs of Staff are often invisible on purpose
- How to balance putting out fires today while building for the long term
- Why saving your execs time is one of the most strategic things you can do
- How adaptability, doability, and being the ‘go-to’ problem solver matter more than any title
- What CEOs often get wrong when hiring their first Chief of Staff
- What not to expect from the role and why getting it right is a game-changer
We also talked about the “squiggly” career paths that often lead to this role, why legal or consulting backgrounds can help (but aren’t required), and how the CoS is often the bridge between vision and execution.
Whether you’re a CEO considering hiring a Chief of Staff, or you’re currently in the role and looking to grow, this episode is packed with practical insights, career paths, and real-world advice from two people deeply immersed in the CoS world.
If you’re a CEO considering hiring a Chief of Staff, this episode is for you.
Watch the full episode here.
More episodes on The Modern CEO podcast.