This episode of the Chief of Staff podcast is with Kyle Hagge, the Chief of Staff at Morning Brew. It was recorded at the Chief of Staff Network's New York City Brain Trust mini conference in July.
A Few Key Takeaways:
- The importance of the first 90 days as a CoS
- Developing influence without authority
- Developing an effective meeting cadence with your principal
- Why the Chief of Staff role isn't just a stepping stone
How Kyle Became Chief of Staff
Kyle Hagge's journey to becoming the Chief of Staff at Morning Brew is a testament to internal company growth opportunities and adaptability. Initially serving as a Community Manager, Kyle worked on launching eight-week mini MBA courses, putting 4,000 professionals through these programs before transitioning into his current role.
In November 2023, after Morning Brew shut down the educational unit he was part of, Kyle evaluated his skills and the company’s needs. After chatting with Morning Brew’s CEO Austin Rief and Morning Brew’s COO Robert Dippell, Kyle became the Chief of Staff at Morning Brew reporting to Robert. Kyle saw this role as a perfect fit due to its breadth and potential for learning.
Effective Strategies in the First 90 Days
Understanding Company Goals: Kyle emphasized the importance of aligning personal goals with the company’s strategic mission. He advocates for articulating how your efforts contribute to the company’s key performance indicators (KPIs).
Communication Styles: Different leaders prefer different communication methods. For example, Kyle learned that detailed updates should be sent via email rather than Slack, which is better suited for quick updates.
Maintaining Relationships: He highlighted the significance of influencing without authority, understanding the history and pain points of different business units before making recommendations.
Meeting Cadence and Performance Reviews
Kyle and Robert established a productive meeting cadence. They meet every Monday to set weekly goals and every Friday to review accomplishments. This structure ensures continuous alignment and accountability.
Advice for Aspiring Chiefs of Staff
- Influence Without Authority: Master the skill of persuasion. Listen to stakeholders, understand their concerns, and then provide recommendations.
- Understand the Role Deeply: Don’t view the Chief of Staff role merely as a stepping stone. Fully invest yourself in the role to uncover its true potential.
- Assess the Company: Before accepting a CoS role, evaluate both the mission and your compatibility with the executive you’ll be closely working with.
- ROI Awareness: Know how your role contributes to the company’s bottom line. Being able to articulate this clearly can protect your job and help in salary negotiations.
For more insights and to join our community of Chiefs of Staff, visit chiefofstaff.network.
Thanks again for doing this, Kyle!
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