Chief of Staff Office Hours: Upcoming Conversations That Shape Your CoS Success

Unlock the full potential of your Chief of Staff journey with AFN's Chief of Staff Office Hours! These complimentary sessions provide actionable insights, expert guidance, and a supportive community for all Chiefs of Staff—whether you're just starting or are a seasoned pro. Every third Friday of the month, from Noon to 1:00 pm PT, we dive into topics that matter most to CoS professionals, offering strategies and solutions you can implement right away. Want to explore our upcoming discussions or learn more? Email us at info@afn.global—we'd love to hear from you!

February 21

Connecting Teams to Vision: The CoS as the Vision Sherpa

Like a Sherpa guiding a climber to the summit, the Chief of Staff (CoS) is the essential guide for aligning the organization to its vision. While the CoS doesn’t set the vision, they carry its weight, providing critical guidance to ensure it is achievable and that the team is fully aligned to achieve it.

In this session, we’ll explore the role of the Vision Sherpa:

• How the CoS connects people and ideas to align with the Principal’s vision.

• Strategies for shaping organizational priorities to make the vision a reality.

• Managing key meetings, like strategic offsites, to facilitate collaboration and drive execution.

Join us to uncover how the CoS turns vision into strategy, connects teams to their roles in the bigger picture, and ensures the organization is equipped to climb to new heights.

March 21

Credibility vs. Trust

Credibility and trust are essential currencies of influence for a Chief of Staff, but they’re not the same. Credibility is “borrowed” from other people or achievements, while trust is “earned” through shared experiences. There is no substitute for trust, but credibility will open the door. Chiefs of Staff understand when and to apply credibility and the value associated with gaining someone’s trust.

In this session, we’ll dive into the nuances of credibility and trust, explore their differences, and discuss strategies for how to apply them. You’ll gain actionable insights to enhance your leadership and strengthen your organizational impact.

April 18 

The Relationship Architect: The CoS as Chief Network Officer

While an organizational chart outlines responsibilities and authority, an organization's true work happens within its intricate web of human connections. This is the space where the Chief of Staff (CoS) thrives—as the Chief Network Officer, bridging individuals, tribes, and the flow of information to drive impact.

In this session, we'll explore the three key components of a network:

• The individuals within it,

• The tribes they form, and

• The information that flows between them.

Join us to discuss how a CoS can master these dynamics to reduce friction, direct communication, and optimize organizational relationships. Learn how this critical identity strengthens your role and your organization's success.

May 16 

Power of Productive Disagreement

Organizations exist to bring different experiences, expertise, and perspectives together to achieve a common goal. With this diversity of thought, disagreements are likely…and necessary. Disagreement can feel uncomfortable, but it can be one of the most powerful tools for innovation and problem-solving when managed effectively. Leaders and the Chief of Staff are responsible for making disagreement productive.

In this session, we’ll explore the mindset that typically accompanies disagreement and how to reframe it. The Chief of Staff can leverage Productive disagreement to drive collaboration, challenge assumptions, and foster growth. Learn actionable strategies to turn conflict into opportunity and lead your organization toward stronger outcomes. Join us for this transformative discussion!

June 20

Master of Time: Maximizing Impact as a Chief of Staff

The Chief of Staff (CoS) operates within the same 24 hours as everyone else, but the expectations placed on their role demand exceptional time management. As the Master of Time, the CoS must balance gathering critical information, building relationships, and driving alignment—while maximizing the return on how they and their team use their time.

In this session, we’ll discuss:

• Strategies for achieving maximum impact with limited time, both for the CoS and others in the organization.

• How to demonstrate respect for others’ time while offering value in return.

• Ways to drive long-term thinking and pursue deep context through efficient time utilization.

  
  

Join us to explore how mastering time elevates the CoS role and propels the organization toward its goals with focus and intention.