Chief of Staff Podcast: A Conversation with Maggie Mullooly

Introduction

This is a blog post that summarizes the Chief of Staff Podcast episode with Maggie Mullooly, a seasoned Chief of Staff with extensive startup and communication experience.

Maggie Mullooly's CoS Journey

Maggie shares her unique path to becoming a Chief of Staff, which began in 2019 at Arcadia, a then Series B climate tech company. Initially joining as a Special Assistant to the Founder, she quickly took on operational and strategic duties across the company. Through LinkedIn and early content from the Chief of Staff Network, she discovered and pitched the role to the founders, who mentored her to achieve this position over two years.

Networking and Career Growth

Maggie emphasizes the importance of leveraging existing networks for career growth. She advises Chiefs of Staff to utilize their founders' connections and build trust to facilitate introductions and opportunities. Maggie shares practical tips for effective networking, such as using LinkedIn for targeted connections and being present at various work-related events.

Communications and Internal Comms

Maggie's superpower lies in communications, particularly internal and executive comms. She stresses the importance of delivering clear, empathetic messages that mitigate anxiety and confusion. Maggie believes in the value of having someone focused on internal comms early in a startup's journey, often a role filled by the Chief of Staff in collaboration with a Founder(s) and the marketing teams.

Specialization vs. Generalization

On the topic of specialization, Maggie argues that Chiefs of Staff can excel as generalists, supporting founders who need to wear multiple hats. However, specialization can also be beneficial, particularly within a specific market sector, as seen in her focus on climate tech.

Challenges and Learning Opportunities

Maggie discusses common questions from aspiring Chiefs of Staff, such as how to enter the role and excel in annual planning. She provides insights into the complexities of annual planning and the importance of storytelling to highlight transferable skills and experiences.

Final Thoughts

Maggie encourages Chiefs of Staff and those aspiring to the role to embrace learning opportunities, trust in their ability to add value, and combat imposter syndrome. She invites listeners to connect with her on LinkedIn for further insights and mentorship.

Connect with Maggie Mullooly on LinkedIn

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