Recently, in a coaching conversation with a CEO, we explored a familiar question: Should we formalize our Chief of Staff role, or just keep it as-is?
Like many leaders, they had a trusted right-hand person already operating in a de facto Chief of Staff capacity. But the team didn’t know them by that title, and the ambiguity was starting to cause confusion.
Here are five reasons to make the title official:
1. Clarity for the Team
When the role is unnamed, everyone fills in the blanks differently. Making the Chief of Staff title official gives the team a clear signal: This person is here to help us work better together and get things done.
2. Authority Without Guesswork
A title provides built-in legitimacy. Without it, your Chief of Staff may have to constantly explain their role or rely on your endorsement. With the title, their authority and charter are clear from day one.
3. Retention and Growth
For the person in the role, having the title matters. It validates their contribution, gives them recognition, and helps them build a career trajectory—inside your company and beyond.
Without the Chief of Staff title, you risk giving your most strategic assignments to someone who’s left wondering why their job description no longer matches their day-to-day work—and whether they even have a future at your organization.
Without the Chief of Staff title, you risk giving your most strategic assignments to someone who’s left wondering why their job description no longer matches their day-to-day work—and whether they even have a future at your organization.
4. Alignment With External Stakeholders
When your Chief of Staff represents you with partners, investors, or peers, the title creates instant context. It’s shorthand that says, I trust this person to act on my behalf.
5. Future-Proof Your Leadership Team
Formalizing the role sets you up for scale. As the company grows, so will the complexity of decisions, projects, and cross-team dynamics. An official Chief of Staff can flex with the needs of the business, without you having to renegotiate their role every few months.
Bottom line: If someone is already functioning as your Chief of Staff, formalizing the title usually makes the work clearer, easier, and more sustainable for everyone.
