Maggie Olson

Chief of Staff vs. Executive Assistant… 
  
What’s the difference? 
  
At first glance, the roles of Chief of Staff and Executive Assistant may sound similar. 
  
Both support the leader. 
Both are crucial to a team’s success. 
Both are positioned in the leader's back office. 
  
**But make no mistake... 
  
They are very different positions, each with its own unique scope and impact. 
  
Here’s a breakdown of the key differences between the two: 
  
🔑 Strategic Leadership 
  
CoS: Leads high-level strategic projects that shape the direction of the business.  
  
EA: Primarily focuses on supporting day-to-day operations & logistics. 
  
🔑 Extension of the Leader 
  
CoS: Acts as a direct extension of the leader, often making high-level decisions on their behalf and ensuring alignment of the team. 
  
EA: Leads all aspects of logistical needs but generally doesn’t step into high-level decision-making scenarios. 
  
🔑 Business Impact 
  
CoS: Works both on the business (strategy and leadership) and in the business (operations, execution).  
  
EA: Primarily focuses on business impact of day-to-day administrative support, assisting the leader with impact and efficiency. 
  
🔑 Cross-Functional Leadership 
  
CoS: Leads cross-functional teams and oversees the execution of key initiatives across the company.  
  
EA: Supports tasks across different teams but doesn't usually lead major cross-company initiatives.  
  
🔑 Ownership of Major Initiatives 
  
CoS: Owns the leader's most important projects, ensuring they are carried through to execution, monitored, and shared broadly. 
  
EA: May assist with many components of key initiatives but doesn’t usually own them or drive them to completion.
  
🔑 Vision Cascading
  
CoS: Deeply learns and understands the leader’s vision and cascades it throughout the company, ensuring everyone is aligned.
  
EA: Assists in sharing the leader’s vision, but isn’t usually fully responsible for communicating or executing the vision across the company.
  
🔑 Proactive Problem Solving
  
CoS: Proactively dives into various areas of the business, identifying problems and crafting solutions for major company issues.
  
EA: EAs are proactive in nature, but they are not typically responsible for solving business-wide challenges.
  
— 
  
While a great EA may step into some of these areas, the Chief of Staff role is distinct.
  
It’s a leadership position focused on driving change, leading teams, and executing high-level strategy.
  
**So, ask yourself...
  
- Are you ready to lead the company’s most critical initiatives?  
- Run your team's back office and rhythm of business?  
- Act as a strategic partner to your leader?
- And drive major alignment across the executive team?
 
Then you're ready for Chief of Staff.
  
PS. Leaders: If the Chief of Staff list describes your EA, promote them.
  
♻ Share to help spread awareness of the Chief of Staff and EA roles.
  
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