In my last post, Defining the Chief of Staff Role: Clarity Is the Catalyst, I talked about how clear expectations set the stage for a successful CoS partnership. But clarity alone isn’t enough. For a Chief of Staff to truly operate as a strategic partner, they need access—to information, to context, and to the rooms where decisions take shape. This post builds on that evolution.
Access isn’t optional, it’s the foundation that turns a Chief of Staff into a true strategic partner.
Defining the Chief of Staff (CoS) role is only the first step in unlocking its full value.
The second, and arguably most important, is ensuring the CoS has access: access to information, to context, and to the conversations where decisions are made.
A Chief of Staff can’t drive alignment from the hallway.
When the CoS is in the room, they don’t just hear what’s said, they absorb the nuance, the intent, and the “why” behind decisions.
They build relationships with visibility, they network with your partners, and understand how to interpret the unspoken signals, tensions, and opportunities that shape how work truly gets done.
That context allows them to connect the dots across the organization, anticipate needs, and help leaders stay focused on what truly matters.
Many leaders hire a Chief of Staff for efficiency, but inadvertently keep them at arm’s length, looping them in after major decisions are made.
That’s like expecting someone to complete a puzzle without seeing the picture on the box.
When the CoS has access to the whole conversation:
Without access, the Chief of Staff role becomes reactive and limited to administrative coordination. With access, the CoS becomes a trusted extension of leadership, a connector between vision and execution.
I’ve worked with both types of principals, and the difference is unmistakable. When a CoS is kept at a distance from key information or excluded from the initiatives a leader is working on, the role quickly becomes a catch-all instead of a true strategic partnership. Access enables the CoS to operate with purpose, clarity, and real impact.
Access is not just physical presence in meetings; it’s informational access, the transparency to understand what’s being decided and why.
When the CoS is included early in strategic conversations, they can anticipate implications across the organization and align stakeholders before challenges arise.
This level of access also allows leaders to delegate more effectively. Instead of re-explaining context, they can rely on the CoS to carry forward intent, ensuring clarity and consistency even when they’re not in the room.
Access only works when it’s built on trust.
The most successful leader–CoS partnerships are built on a foundation of mutual respect, candor, and confidentiality.
Trust allows the CoS to:
As McKinsey notes in “The Anatomy of the Chief of Staff Role,” the CoS often serves as “a truth-teller, confidant, and integrator”—roles that require deep trust to function effectively.
Invite your CoS to participate in key discussions, leadership offsites, and decision-making forums, not just to observe, but to contribute.
Their job isn’t to take notes; it’s to connect insights and ensure those discussions translate into aligned action.
When leaders intentionally bring their CoS into the room, three things happen:
📈 A 2024 Chief of Staff Network survey found that 70% of CoSs with direct participation in executive meetings reported higher role satisfaction and organizational impact.
🧭 LSE Business Review research highlights that CoSs who attend strategy sessions “increase decision velocity by translating informal direction into formal execution.”
💬 According to Forbes, leaders who include their CoS in senior meetings “reduce communication bottlenecks by up to 40%,” creating faster organizational responsiveness.
When a Chief of Staff is in the room, the entire organization feels it.
There’s less rework, more clarity, and stronger follow-through. The leader gains leverage, the team gains alignment, and the company gains momentum.
Access and trust are what turn the CoS from a helpful operator into a strategic force multiplier, someone who scales leadership effectiveness far beyond the limits of one person’s bandwidth.
If defining the role provides structure, access, and trust, give it life.
The Chief of Staff’s most significant value emerges when they’re empowered to see the whole picture and trusted to act on it.
👉 In my next post, I’ll explore the third key principle: “Leverage Their Strengths”—how to align your Chief of Staff’s unique skills with your organization’s strategic needs.
If you’re new to the Chief of Staff role, you don’t have to figure it out alone. This is a complex, nuanced position, and having a coach or thought partner can help you grow faster and lead with confidence.
📩 If you’re a new CoS or a leader building this role, feel free to schedule some time with me.
I’m always happy to support you as you step into this work and build a strategic partnership that truly thrives.