CHIEF OF STAFF
INNER CIRCLE
MASTERMIND GROUP
It's lonely near the top
The Chief of Staff role is a uniquely challenging role within an organization.
Help is needed to prevent burnout, maximize performance, and gain the most from the experience for the next phase in one’s career.
The comradery often experienced in other positions may be absent for Chiefs of Staff
It often feels like I’m on an island — it’s unlike any other job. It can be so frustrating that I don’t know how long I will be able to stay here, even if the role and exposure is invigorating.
It’s hard for me to establish transparency and trust with others because of the need to remain aligned w/ the CEO. They know I’m her eyes & ears
Even those Chiefs of Staff who excel in are often unsung heroes
I’m one of the hardest-working people in the organization yet one of the most unseen
I don’t like working as hard as I do without the executive clout but I’m also not ready to move on, nor am I clear on what my next move is
Privileged information combined with personal stances create conflicts
My CEO seems to be doing things that are unethical (or manipulatively dishonest at-best), and I’m not sure what I can do about it.
I get frustrated because I see the change possible but am not able to do anything about it.
My job is to be an observer with my emotions removed, and then show what I see to the CEO, who cannot remove their emotions
These are difficult dynamics to navigate
If CEOs can reap the benefits of an executive peer group, their Chief of Staff should be entitled to similar support within such a high-pressure and high-stakes role.
is program serving those of exceptional talent and highest ambition who are not yet in the C-Suite.
The sole purpose of Kingmaker is to provide highly practical and impactful frameworks for those of excellence to attain their rightful place in their organization and career.
CHIEF OF STAFF INNER CIRCLE
An exclusively invite-only experience,
combining the best of a CEO Peer Group, C-Level Leadership Development, and Group Coaching.
MEMBERS RECEIVE
CONCEPTS
AND TOOLS
taught to C-level executives to manage the challenges & pressures of executive dynamics.
CONFIDENTIAL
SHARE SPACE
to air and
openly discuss
even the most
difficult areas of
challenge and insecurity.
PEER SUPPORT
& SOLUTIONING
to identify
and develop
practical paths to resolving difficulties.
NETWORK
EFFECT
of a group dedicated to making their system of exceptional connections available to you.
MEMBERSHIP
REQUIREMENTS
To curate the highest level of participation and value, members must apply for inclusion and meet specific criteria:
1.
At least six months in the Chief of Staff role
4.
Employment by a business non-competitive to existing Inner Circle members
2.
Reporting directly into a CEO, President, or other C-Suite exec
5.
Willingness to sign
a non-disclosure agreement.
3.
Employed by a Fortune 500 company or similarly exceptional business
6.
MBA or other advanced degree from a notable institution
RULES OF MEMBERSHIP
UTMOST
CONFIDENTIALITY
Absolute trust is required for members to share sensitive business circumstances and do so with personal vulnerability.
SOLUTIONS
ORIENTATION
Members share the most challenging experiences and empathize on difficulties without allowing a victim-oriented dynamic to surface. The group is focused on positive, practical support of one another.
MEETING
REVERENCE
This is uniquely valuable time of very important and busy professionals. Prioritization and complete presence are required.
-
No calls, email or other multitasking
-
Only one missed meeting is allowed in a 12-month cycle
-
Session admittance is closed 5 minutes after start
ACCOUNTABLE
ACTION
Members are dedicated not only to the sharing of ideas, but committing to action between sessions and holding one another accountable to commitments.
DEDICATION TO
EFFICIENCY
Members exercise the discipline of balancing creative thinking with focused intent.
Amidst a designed structure, members allow casual meandering of thought and discussion while also engaging in the self-moderation to make the most effective use of time.
SESSION FORMAT
Groups meet for 3 hours
every 6 weeks (for 2x quarterly support)
GROUP
SIZE
Minimum: 4 members to ensure a critical mass of perspective
Maximum: 6 members to ample time to fully address all member needs
FOUNDATION (40 min)
Ground Rules
Revisiting and recommitment to the Rules of Membership.
(5 min)
Excellence Tools
A presentation and facilitated discussion of a high-impact concept/practice for members to dial up their professional excellence.
(15 min)
Former-CoS Share
Each session will aim to have a C-level or senior-executive who has progressed beyond the CoS role who will speak to topics suggested by the members in advance for an “If I knew then what I know now” group mentoring.
(20 min)
MEMBER SHARE (2 hrs)
Each member of the group will experience the following in-turn:
Win/Loss
Member shares the highs & lows since prior meeting
Accountability
Member shares status & results of committed action from the last meeting
Problem Topic & Solution
Member shares challenging topic followed by group discussion, support, and solutioning
Action Challenges
Peers surface actionable challenges for which the member may accept, negotiate a revision on, or replace with their own commitment to action.
WRAP-UP (20 min)
Each member will succinctly review:
Insights
A quick note of the insightful value they received during the session
Action Commitments
Explicit recommitment to the challenge they will act upon before the next session.
Review of Misc Action Items
-
Planned introductions of members to helpful professional network connections.
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1:1 follow-ups for inter-session collaboration/support
-
Sharing of resources or other information post-session
Confidentiality Reaffirmation
Explicit recommitment to the confidentiality of session discussions
EXECUTIVE COACH FACILITATION
In order to prompt further clarity or challenge ideas throughout the session, an executive coach facilitator will pose the same questions to members as they would in a C-level executive coaching session
LOGISTICS
All sessions are to be held via Zoom
Meetings time are coordinated by (X)Form to meet the schedules of all participants
In advance of each meeting, a brief 1:1 call will be held (5-10 minutes) to receive input on how to optimize the upcoming session