- Safwan AMM
- 23 November, 2025
Why Every Leader Needs a Great Chief of Staff
In today’s fast-moving business world, a CEO or business owner cannot do everything alone. Whether you run a growing startup in Colombo, lead a regional office, or manage a family business in Kurunegala, one thing is clear: a strong Chief of Staff (CoS) can transform the way you lead.
A Chief of Staff is not just an assistant. Not just an advisor. Not just a planner.
They are the bridge between your vision and your team’s execution — the person who makes sure the right decisions reach your desk, the wrong distractions stay away, and your organization moves forward smoothly.
Think of a CoS like the caddy of a professional golfer: the golfer plays the game, but the caddy helps them win.
Why Chiefs of Staff Are Indispensable
1. They Manage What Truly Matters
A CoS filters information, organizes priorities, and ensures the CEO focuses on high-impact decisions.
Real-life Sri Lankan example:
A CEO of a garment factory in Gampaha might receive 100+ emails a day. A CoS filters them into:
- urgent
- important
- nice-to-know
This alone saves the CEO hours and protects mental energy.
2. They Bring People Together
Great Chiefs of Staff are natural relationship-builders. They calm tense situations, communicate decisions smoothly, and help teams stay aligned.
Example:
When sales and production teams clash over timelines, the CoS steps in, finds common ground, and keeps the workflow moving without conflict.
3. They Hold the Company’s Institutional Memory
They know the systems, culture, and unwritten rules of the business.
This deep knowledge helps them solve issues before they become problems.
4. They See the Future, Not Just the Present
A Chief of Staff constantly scans risks, market changes, and new opportunities.
Example:
If import costs go up suddenly, a proactive CoS will alert the CEO, adjust budgets, and prepare alternatives early — avoiding a crisis.
5. They Are Versatile “Utility Players”
They jump into any department — sales, HR, finance, operations — and help solve bottlenecks.
They know enough about each area to get things moving.
6. They Work Hard, Really Hard
This role is not for someone waiting for 5.00 p.m. A CoS often works 60+ hours a week because they are part of the leadership engine.
A Simple Case Study Insight
(Fictional but realistic)
A tech startup in Colombo struggled with delayed decisions and team misalignment.
The CEO hired a Chief of Staff with strong communication and operations experience.
Within three months:
- meeting times reduced by 40%
- the CEO gained 20 extra hours per week
- project delivery improved
- teams stopped working in silos
The CEO later said, “Bringing in a Chief of Staff didn’t just help me — it helped the whole company breathe again.”
What Makes a Great Chief of Staff
A strong CoS usually has:
✔ Influence – can prioritize, filter information, and make decisions
✔ People skills – smooths tensions and connects teams
✔ Institutional knowledge – understands how the company really works
✔ Foresight – spots risks early
✔ Versatility – can support any division
✔ Work ethic – goes beyond the job description
When these qualities come together, the Chief of Staff becomes the CEO’s most trusted partner, not just an employee.
Final Thought: The Indispensable Partner in Leadership
For any leader who wants speed, clarity, and long-term growth, a Chief of Staff is no longer a luxury — it’s a necessity.
In Sri Lanka, where businesses often face changing regulations, rising competition, and fast-shifting customer expectations, a skilled CoS helps leaders stay focused, stay sharp, and stay ahead.
A great Chief of Staff doesn’t just support the business;
they help build the business.
