Foundational Advice for Chiefs of Staff and Strategic Operators
In Chief of Staff and strategic operator roles, progress is often unlocked not by new tactics but by investing in the fundamentals that position you for greater scope and influence over time.
Nova has spoken with thousands of aspiring and current Chiefs of Staff, as well as professionals navigating complex, high-impact roles across organizations. This is the advice Nova shares most often, not just with CoS candidates, but with anyone growing a career in leadership, operations, or executive partnership.
Regardless of title or industry, these principles consistently surface as the foundation for long-term success.
Raise your hand, share your value, and ask for what you want
Someone else is always advocating for themselves and helping leaders understand why their team would be stronger with them in it.
Waiting to be tapped on the shoulder often leads to missed opportunities. Visibility matters. Sometimes that looks like raising your hand for a project before you feel fully ready, asking to sit in on a decision, or saying you want to grow into work that hasn’t been offered yet. If leaders don’t know what you’re aiming for or where you want to stretch, they’ll default to what’s familiar.
Lean into your strengths and spot opportunities for growth
Confidence gaps often come from focusing on perceived shortcomings rather than unique value.
Many high-performers underestimate the importance of skills like communication, influence, and people leadership, especially when surrounded by technical or specialized experts. Yet time and again, those “soft skills” are what differentiate strong operators in senior roles.
Shifting your internal narrative to focus on your strengths helps you lead with confidence. Growth areas can be developed over time, but strengths should be leveraged immediately.
Network consistently and never stop
As roles become more senior, cold applications become less effective.
For Chief of Staff and executive-level positions, hiring decisions often begin with people already top of mind. In practice, the strongest opportunities often come from relationships built long before they’re needed.
Networking should be an ongoing professional rhythm, not a last-minute scramble. That rhythm is sustained by reciprocity. Show up with generosity, insight, and follow-through long before you ever need to ask for anything. Consistent, two-way relationship-building ensures there is always someone to call, whether for career guidance, strategic input, or support in unfamiliar territory.
Build systems, processes, and tools that support your role
Even if executives or teams adopt only a portion of the tools introduced, operators must build systems that allow them to thrive.
Executive back offices are dynamic and constantly evolving. Without structured places for information, priorities, and decisions to live, it becomes difficult to see patterns, recommend improvements, or take true ownership.
One of the first steps in a Chief of Staff role, and many adjacent roles, is documenting the current state with flexibility in mind. This clarity allows operators to spend less time reacting and more time proactively shaping decisions.
Be the person who finds and recommends solutions
Regardless of title, professionals known for getting things done are discussed in the right rooms.
Taking initiative means moving beyond identifying problems to recommending solutions. Using an assumptive close and leading with a bias for action builds trust, credibility, and influence.
Chiefs of Staff and strategic operators are often working toward similar goals. What separates them is how intentionally they build and strengthen their foundation. Choosing one or two focus areas from this list and taking deliberate action can create meaningful momentum.
Progress compounds quickly when intention meets execution and when operators consistently show up as strategic partners, not passive contributors.
Are you ready to level up?
If you’re looking to invest in your development as a Chief of Staff or strategic operator, Nova provides the training, tools, frameworks, and support to help you intentionally strengthen your foundation. Request a copy of the Nova Chief of Staff Certification course syllabus to see how the program is structured.