It’s 2023, and we’re entering a year of instability, risk, and doom-and-gloom. Growth is faltering. Budgets are tight. Layoffs loom. Feels a little like getting caught in a tornado. It’s definitely been a Twister so far 🌪️.

So, Chiefs of Staff, how can you take a page out of Dr. Jo Harding’s book? How can you maneuver around a dangerous storm without getting caught? How do you maintain calm amidst the chaos?

Read on to find out…

1. Revisit Growth Fundamentals

Fundraising is really expensive right now and only companies that show good fundamentals will get favorable terms. This is forcing leaders to revisit fundamental growth KPIs like CAC, churn and win/loss rates.

Our suggestion is to use a data-driven approach towards looking at every component of the growth engine. First, make sure that the data you’re reviewing is sound. Then use a fine-toothed comb to do root cause analysis while inspecting problem areas. Only then will you find out where the marketing, sales or customer success system is faltering.

Next, brainstorm some ideas, test out solutions and then implement fixes when you are confident that they work. Rinse and repeat, while you track GTM KPIs along the way.

2. Re-Engineer Costs

The SVB banking crisis has made raising money even more difficult for startups. Large companies are also feeling the pressure from institutional investors to be smart about their costs. This means every item in the cost-stack needs to be examined and questioned. Can you do more with less?

Chiefs of Staff are well-positioned to complete a cost analysis to identify where the company can trim while not sacrificing growth. Expensive software and services contracts can be renegotiated in your favor or terminated outright. New job requisitions should be highly scrutinized.

3. Enable Lean Teams

Since growth is down, investors are demanding lean teams that are efficient, focused and action-oriented. Unfortunately, this sometimes means a Reduction in Force (RIF) or rounds of layoffs. This means you’ll have to achieve more output with less inputs.

Consider implementing AI tools to help save time and enable team members to take on higher priority tasks. Conduct a Talent Mapping exercise to fully vet the talent in your organization and make sure the right resource is aligned with the right set of tasks. Be ruthless about identifying blockers and systematically removing them for your team.

4. Promote Cross-Functional Collaboration

COVID-19 has left a legacy by forcing more and more teams to go remote or hybrid. This means that the Chief of Staff has a bigger need to break down walls around communication between different business units.

Think about implementing weekly company updates from each of the functions around your company. And review the meeting cadences to make sure there isn’t Zoom fatigue and that there is the right amount of cross-polination.

5. Create a Transparent but Positive Culture

All of these austerity measures and growth problems can take a mental toll on leaders and employees alike. With each round of layoffs, employee engagement is at risk of suffering.

The Chief of Staff should partner with their boss to create a series of communications that are transparent and honest with the changes that are being implemented. They should also create a regular cadence of positive messages around wins to celebrate and uplift exceptional team members.

So there you have it, 5 top priorities for the Chief of Staff in 2023 to maintain calm and stay focused. If you’re curious about learning more, check out my 40 minute fireside chat on this very topic with Vidya Santhanam, Fitbots CEO.

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Begin your free High Performance Chief of Staff Assessment.

Last week, I wrote that my 360º Performance Assessment is ready for the world. I’ve made some tweaks and smoothed out a few things in the meantime.

Stop worrying about how to become a high performer. Start working towards developing your skills, experiences and capabilities to become an elite level Chief of Staff!

The diagnostic spans 70 performance factors across 5 focus areas - hard skills, soft skills, leadership traits, wellbeing, and the Chief of Staff job itself.

What will you get out of the free Assessment?

1. Receive a 360º Performance Scorecard that tells you exactly what areas you are over/underperforming in a color-coded heatmap

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