Chief of Staff or Executive Assistant?

We’re often asked about the difference between a Chief of Staff and an Executive Assistant.

And the honest answer is: it depends on who you ask.

After more than 30 years placing both Chiefs of Staff and Executive Assistants—particularly in family offices and closely held enterprises—we’ve seen how blurred these roles can become without a clear definition.

This Fast Company article does a thoughtful job of exploring the role of a Chief of Staff and how the position can support leaders by taking on many responsibilities traditionally handled by senior executives. It’s an especially timely read as more C-level leaders turn to Chiefs of Staff to help manage complexity, decision-making, and execution.

As organizations grow, it becomes increasingly important to clearly define what a Chief of Staff does—just as the Executive Assistant role has been thoughtfully refined and professionalized over time. Without that clarity, expectations can drift, roles can overlap, and both leaders and talent can become misaligned.

In this blog post, you’ll find resources whether:

• You’re a leader considering hiring a Chief of Staff or Executive Assistant
• You’re currently in one of these roles and exploring a pivot to the other
• You want to better understand how each role functions, where they overlap, and where they distinctly differ

Our goal is to bring clarity to roles that are critical, nuanced, and often misunderstood—especially in environments where trust, discretion, and partnership matter deeply.

If you’re navigating this decision from either side of the table, this will be an excellent resource.

This is the most important hire you can make if you want your company to run smoothly
A good chief of staff is more than an administrator or an extra set of hands. They’re a leadership amplifier.

Read in Fast Company: https://apple.news/AuFg3X1BgSxG9ttiD7NeRhw

- Cheryl Grimaldi