Chief of Staff and VP: Navigating Dual Roles and Self-Care with Josh Nemes
Josh Nemes holds two high-demand roles at Zengistics: VP of Managed Services and Chief of Staff. That means switching gears all day, supporting his team while also working closely with senior leadership. In this conversation, he shares how he handles the complexity, stays grounded, and makes both roles work without burning out.
Key Takeaways
Dual roles like VP and Chief of Staff demand constant context-switching. It takes clarity to know which hat you’re wearing.
Strong relationships with leadership help you succeed in fast-paced, unstructured roles.
Real rest and balance—like daily walks and family time—are non-negotiable.
Notable Quotes
"I know a good amount about a lot of things and kind of had this generalist skill set that really made it pretty easy for me to jump from one department to the next."
"If you're in a role where you have a Chief of Staff responsibility and a leadership responsibility, develop your team, make sure that you're delegating out the right tasks to the right team, try to find your own quote unquote Chief of Staff if you can."
"Close your email for two hours—it’s going to be fine."
Real-World Applications
Stay Close to the Mission
Example: When tensions rise, Josh resets the conversation by asking, “Why are we all here?” It grounds the group.Build Deep Trust with Execs
Example: His president relies on him to bounce between strategy, hiring, financial breakdowns, and client needs—all in one day.Protect Time to Recharge
Example: Josh walks outside daily to reset and clears his evenings for family time with his kids.
Josh Nemes shows that doing two demanding jobs well isn’t about working nonstop. It’s about choosing what matters, knowing when to switch gears, and remembering that rest fuels results. Leadership starts with clarity—and sometimes a long walk helps too.
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.