How to Use a Chief of Staff for Unprecedented Company Growth
When your company starts growing fast, everything breaks. That’s what Lawrence Coburn, Founder & CEO of Ambient, learned the hard way. His secret to surviving—and thriving—through hypergrowth? Hiring a Chief of Staff. He shares exactly how the role helped unlock growth, drive clarity, and take the pressure off the CEO.
Key Takeaways
A Chief of Staff helps your CEO be great. Before helping the company, they help the CEO focus and execute.
Define the role early. Don't skip this. Be clear on what the Chief of Staff will and won’t do.
The role evolves with the company. As the business changes, so does the chief’s focus—growth, pricing, operations, strategy.
Notable Quotes
“You don’t just have an exec standing by to integrate acquisitions. A Chief of Staff does that.”
“Their power comes from their lack of power.”
“You're not on anyone's side, you're on everyone's side”
Real-World Applications (with Examples)
Help the CEO Focus
Example: Lawrence’s Chief of Staff, Matt, handled internal priorities so Lawrence could stay focused on customers and investors.Bridge Functions Across Teams
Example: When product, marketing, and sales were misaligned, Matt stepped in to bridge gaps and guide tough decisions.Design and Run Strategic Planning
Example: Matt created a one-page “strategy on a page” (SOAP) to clearly communicate company goals to 250+ employees.
A great Chief of Staff doesn’t just manage projects—they unlock momentum. Whether your company is scaling fast or just trying to work smarter, this role, when built on trust and clarity, can become the backbone of real growth.
00:45 Introducing Today's Guest: Lawrence Coburn
01:02 The Journey of a Founder and the Impact of a Chief of Staff
02:25 The Story of Double Dutch and the Role of a Chief of Staff
06:59 The Importance of Defining the Chief of Staff Role
12:17 Building Trust and the Evolution of the Chief of Staff Role
15:28 Special Projects and Strategic Initiatives: The Chief of Staff's Domain
17:21 The Ever-Present Challenge of Pricing
17:46 Defining Roles and Responsibilities
18:12 Communicating Roles to the Leadership Team
19:12 The Importance of Having Your Team's Back
21:36 The Unique Trust in a Chief of Staff
23:54 Introducing Ambient: AI for Chiefs of Staff
26:48 Ambient's Features and Future Directions
31:01 The Value of AI in Project Management
34:50 Closing Thoughts and How to Learn More
Links Mentioned:
Connect with Lawrence Coburn on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/lawrencecoburn
Learn more about Ambient and their AI solutions at: https://www.ambient.us/
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.