Inside the Strategy Room 284. Inside the Chief of Staff role
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Jan 1, 2026 Join Andrew Goodman, a senior partner at McKinsey, Michelle Forrest, a global client capabilities leader, and Connor Rochford, an associate partner, as they dive into the pivotal role of chief of staff. They discuss when this role is crucial for organizations and the essential traits for success, such as high emotional intelligence. Discover how the responsibilities of chiefs of staff vary with company size and how many are internal hires. Plus, hear about career advancements post-role and the unique challenges faced during CEO transitions.
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Learn By Doing And From Peers
- Build an apprenticeship approach: learn on the job and from peers rather than expecting formal training.
- Join peer networks and spend time with other chiefs of staff to accelerate learning.
Internal Networks Made Her Transition Easier
- Michelle Forrest had internal knowledge and networks that made her transition smooth.
- She warns the chief of staff role can be lonely and requires building an external peer network.
Effectiveness Shows Up In Different Ways
- The principal often measures success as increased CEO effectiveness in different ways.
- That can mean better-prepared meetings, delivery of special projects, or candid coaching for the CEO.