Chief of Staff: a Generalist Role
Maggie Olson
Founder & CEO @ Nova Chief of Staff | Acclaimed Fortune 40 CoS to President | First-of-its-kind Chief of Staff Certification Course | C-Suite Leadership Speaker | Building Confidence Around the Globe ??
A good Chief of Staff (CoS) is often characterized by their drive, versatility, and acumen for leadership. But recently, the word “generalist” has been thrown around to describe the role with the effect of valuing the very important and varied functions of a CoS.
But let’s take a look at some definitions of what a “generalist” is:
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So, what do we think? Does the term “generalist” really connotate a lack of experience or expertise? Definitely not!
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In reality, the word really signals the opposite. Being a generalist is increasingly valuable to today’s top business leaders. Chiefs of Staff are increasingly valuable assets to executive leadership because they have a generalist sense about them when it comes to management and problem solving.
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Unlike in highly specialized roles, Chiefs of Staff are expected to be competent in a long list of different areas in the rhythm of business: finance, communications, events, the list goes on. We also use our generalist capabilities to identify spaces where we can create additional value for our leadership, to bring in innovative modes of streamlining operations. In fewer words: Chiefs of Staff are great at many things, and they’re supposed to be. An experienced CoS has spent years honing their confidence and competence in a wide variety of skills and positions. It is this nimbleness that makes it such a lucrative and rewarding career path for the go-getters out there.
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Having gone to business school in my twenties, I felt an incredible pressure to specialize my field of expertise. So many business thinkers will tell you to find a niche and stick to it, and that’s how you bring home the big bucks. But as I soon learned, a job specialized in performing the same tasks day-in and day-out wasn’t how I imagined my ideal career.
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Nearly a decade after my first professional job, I finally found career alignment as a Chief of Staff. The mixed responsibilities of the role allowed me to really explore my strengths, providing me with the opportunities to:
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As a highly driven individual who can get bored with repetitive or unchallenging assignments, I think one of the greatest gifts that Chiefs of Staff have is the ability to "be competent in several different fields or activities." It’s like being the Renaissance Man or Woman of the C-Suite, with something new to learn or tackle every single week.
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Being a generalist leader is a huge strength. I am a better Chief of Staff because my prior experience is varied, diverse, and vast. The fact of the matter is that if you don’t think of yourself as a generalist, you’re probably not a CoS!
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Cyber Security Program Manager
7 个月Thank you for sharing this. I started with a specialized (IT) role and over time moved on to project management. Having done both, I find that I prefer the generalist role. It is more interesting and challenging too. Takes one that is adaptable, fast learner to thrive at becoming a generalist. I see Chief of Staff being my next step in advancing my professional growth. Everything you listed here resonates well with my career aspiration. So thank you again!
Lead with Insight and Integrity - The Tater Chat Way!
7 个月While serving as a chemical officer, I learned the value of being a generalist, handling various duties that required a wide range of skills. This versatility allowed me to adapt quickly and excel in multiple roles, crucial for mission success and operational efficiency. As an instructor and business owner, these generalist skills are invaluable. In the classroom, I teach diverse subjects and foster a positive learning environment. As a business owner, I manage finances, marketing, strategy, and team leadership. The generalist approach helps me create value, streamline operations, and drive innovation. Being a generalist involves continuous learning, ensuring adaptability in a changing environment. This growth mindset enables generalists to innovate and respond to new challenges. You don’t need to be at the highest levels to be a Chief of Staff. Versatility and adaptability apply across all roles. Embracing the role of a generalist is a significant asset for any leader, encouraging learning, broadening perspectives, and enhancing problem-solving abilities. My varied experience has made me a better Chief of Staff. If you don’t think of yourself as a generalist, you’re probably not a CoS!
Technical Officer at GPMB Secretariat, WHO | Strategy & Partnerships | Connecting people & ideas
8 个月I would add that being a generalist is a specialization - not everybody has the skills and resources to be a generalist.
Administrative Operations, Strategic; Relationship focused; Leader
8 个月I have always valued my generalist skill set as a strength.
Project Management | Chief of Staff | Strategist and Leader | Amplifying Leadership Impact | Cross-Functional Collaboration | Orchestrating Business Strategy
8 个月Thank you, this resonated with me. I found early in my career that I did not enjoy tasks that were on repeat. I moved into "special project work". This enable constant learning, new people and experiences. It was a struggle for friends to understand what I did professionally as my work never fit into a specialty box. I will admit that I did worry I was not finding my niche of expertise and I was making a career mistake. However I am so very happy that I leaned into the assignments that brought me challenge and joy.