8-Question Quiz: Are You Ready for a Chief of Staff?
A Chief of Staff can transform how a company operates by aligning leadership, streamlining communication and amplifying the CEO’s impact. But how do you know if it’s the right time to bring one into your business? Take this quick quiz to assess whether your company could benefit from the strategic support of a Chief of Staff.
1. My leadership team and I are often bogged down by operational details, which pulls us away from focusing on strategic growth.
a. Strongly Agree
b. Agree
c. Disagree
d. Strongly Disagree
2. Our leadership team members struggle to stay aligned with my vision and priorities as CEO.
a. Strongly Agree
b. Agree
c. Disagree
d. Strongly Disagree
3. My leadership team and I are frequently pulled into reactive tasks, leaving little time for proactive planning.
a. Strongly Agree
b. Agree
c. Disagree
d. Strongly Disagree
4. When thinking about the pace of completing strategic projects in my organization, initiatives are completed efficiently and on time.
a. Strongly Agree
b. Agree
c. Disagree
d. Strongly Disagree
5. My leadership team and I have the bandwidth to effectively handle new opportunities or challenges.
a. Strongly Agree
b. Agree
c. Disagree
d. Strongly Disagree
6. I am confident in my company’s current data insights and decision-making processes.
a. Strongly Agree
b. Agree
c. Disagree
d. Strongly Disagree
7. As CEO, I am operating in the “highest and best service” to the company, stakeholders and team, focusing on what I do best.
a. Strongly Agree
b. Agree
c. Disagree
d. Strongly Disagree
8. My organization is scalable under its current structure and processes.
a. Strongly Agree
b. Agree
c. Disagree
d. Strongly Disagree
Scoring
Assign points for each response as follows:
Strongly Agree: 4 points
Agree: 3 points
Disagree: 2 points
Strongly Disagree: 1 point
Results
28-32 points: Your organization is ready and in significant need of a Chief of Staff. The challenges you face indicate that a Chief of Staff could provide immediate value by refocusing leadership efforts, enhancing team alignment and ensuring strategic priorities are executed effectively.
21-27 points: You are approaching the stage where a Chief of Staff could make a meaningful difference. Start assessing leadership gaps and operational inefficiencies to determine the optimal time to bring a Chief of Staff into your organization.
16-20 points: Your current structure is functioning reasonably well, but as your organization grows, the complexities of scaling may outpace your existing leadership capacity. A Chief of Staff could help future-proof your company by creating sustainable alignment and operational efficiency.
8-15 points: Your organization is well-positioned and operating effectively. While you may not need a Chief of Staff right now, consider how this role could support continued growth and scalability as your company evolves.
If your results show you are ready or nearing readiness for a Chief of Staff, we encourage you to explore the valuable impact this role can have on your business. Most of our clients are leaders of multigenerational, bootstrapped companies with $5 to upwards of $50 million in revenues. Many are in the process of raising capital or are backed by private equity. If this sounds like you, reach out to learn how a Chief of Staff can streamline your operations, align your team and elevate your organization to new heights.
Vannin Chief of Staff, founded in 2020, is a premier talent partner with a focus on roles supporting the CEO. We have a proven track record of helping executives find the right talent, full-time or fractionally, and up-level their talent via our proprietary advisory program. Vannin Chief of Staff has served over 150 clients globally, including Shopify, Orange Theory, Cordis, Lilac Solutions, GRIN, Propelus, WALR, Wish for Wheels and more. Get details at vanninchiefofstaff.com.