3 Management Consultant Skills that Translate into the Chief of Staff Role
Many CEOs and founders looking for a Chief of Staff will ask specifically for a Management Consulting background. The reason isn’t because of the name of the firm they come from, but rather because of the skills they bring to the table.
If you’re looking to move into a Chief of Staff role, focus on these key attributes that Management Consultants build in their work.
🪢 Bringing Structure to Chaos
Management Consultants are taught frameworks that help organize data and information into something processable and actionable. Most consultants are trained in using decision making frameworks to help diagnose problems and then start providing solutions. It’s helpful to learn about some of these tried and true frameworks if you’re planning on stepping into a Chief of Staff role.
🪂 Parachuting In and Gaining Context Quickly
Management Consultants are often dropped in the middle of organizations that have been using the same processes for years and facing problems that have accumulated over time. Chiefs of Staff also need to be able to take stock of situations that are happening in real time and deal with ever changing resourcing and challenges. You’ll need to build trust with the individuals in any given situation in order to understand the picture as a whole and provide suggestions with limited information.
⚙️ Process Improvement
Sometimes Management Consultants are brought in because the ways things are being done are tired and rote. Companies that have been around for years often do things the same way “because that’s how they’ve always been done.” Consultants are often up to date on ever evolving technology and software and also have the benefit of seeing hundreds of companies function in a multitude of different ways. As a Chief of Staff, you’re not only there to get things done but improve on the way things have been done in the past. Look for ways to incrementally increase efficiency and give time back to employees within the org.
If you’re a Management Consultant looking to translate your skill set into a Chief of Staff role, click here to learn more and set up a discovery call.