Chief of Staff Success: Tips for Thriving in Startup Environments
The chief of staff role is becoming more common in startups. But the job can look very different depending on the size and stage of the company. In a recent conversation with Rafael Mari, who has worked as chief of staff in both large corporations and startups, he shared what it really takes to succeed in this fast-moving environment.
Key Takeaways
The role shifts with company size. At small startups, chiefs of staff often take on broad, hands-on tasks. In scale-ups, they focus more on strategy, structure, and helping the CEO scale.
Low ego is required. Coming in with humility and respect for colleagues’ expertise is essential, especially when working with seasoned professionals.
Ownership must be clear. Chiefs of staff should know what they fully own versus what they only support. Lack of clarity creates confusion and weak execution.
Notable Quotes
“This is definitely a low ego job—you need to be humble.”
“Internal communications is one of the three core skills of a chief of staff, and it’s often overlooked.”
“Make sure you actually want a chief of staff—because if you don’t, it won’t work.”
Real-World Applications
Building processes during scale-up growth
Example: When a startup grows from 100 to 400 employees, a chief of staff can set up governance and decision frameworks so leaders aren’t just making calls over dinner anymore.
Driving cross-functional projects
Example: If a new customer requires product, sales, and compliance input, the chief of staff can coordinate teams and ensure delivery without owning every piece.
Adapting to company needs
Example: A chief of staff may temporarily lead HR projects, like defining a remote work policy, and later switch to finance projects like preparing a strategic plan.
The chief of staff role in startups isn’t one-size-fits-all. Success comes from humility, clear communication, and a strong relationship with the CEO. When companies and chiefs of staff set clear expectations and focus on trust, the role becomes a force multiplier that helps startups grow smarter and faster.
Time Stamps:
00:00 Introduction to Rafael Mari
00:42 Rafael's Career Journey
01:47 Differences Between French and American Chief of Staff Roles
03:18 Challenges in Chief of Staff Roles
05:16 Rafael's Experience at Swan
07:37 Scaling Challenges at Swan
09:50 Defining Objectives and Tracking Progress
11:13 Internal and External Communications
13:37 Building Trust and Humility
18:21 Navigating CEO Relationships
27:04 Ownership and Project Management
32:52 Advice for Aspiring Chiefs of Staff and CEOs
About The Author
Emily Sander is an ICF-certified leadership coach with more than 15 years of experience in the business world and the author of Hacking Executive Leadership. She’s been featured in several print publications, online articles, and podcasts, including CEO Today Magazine, Leading to Fulfillment, and Leadership Powered by Common Sense.
Emily has a passion for helping business leaders reach their full potential. Go here to read her story from seasoned executive to knowledgeable coach. If you want to send Emily a quick message, then visit her contact page here.