A Day In The Life Of A Chief Of Staff At United Launch Alliance
A chief of staff's day begins early, proactively managing calendars and setting the day's plan before the "big boss" arrives; however, much of the day is "reactionary," involving crisis management and strategic communication—creating "slide decks and building messaging"—and often requires identifying and connecting resources to improve efficiency and the work environment through extensive networking.
Project Management, Communication, Leadership, Networking, Problem-Solving
Advizer Information
Name
Job Title
Company
Undergrad
Grad Programs
Majors
Industries
Job Functions
Traits
Joshua Adams
Project Manager
United Launch Alliance
Cal Poly San Luis Obispo
MBA - University of North Alabama
Industrial, Supply Chain Management
Aerospace, Aviation & Defense, Manufacturing, Operations & Supply Chain
Operations and Project Management
Worked 20+ Hours in School, Veteran
Video Highlights
1. Proactive planning is key: Joshua starts his day an hour early to prepare for the day's events and meetings, highlighting the importance of organization and anticipation in a fast-paced environment.
2. Reactive problem-solving is crucial: A significant part of Joshua's day involves reacting to unexpected events, such as PR issues or negative meeting outcomes. This emphasizes the need for adaptability and quick thinking.
3. Networking and relationship-building are vital: Joshua emphasizes the importance of networking and building relationships across different departments and levels of the organization. This showcases the value of communication and collaboration in achieving better outcomes and improving the work environment.
Transcript
What does a day in the life of a chief of staff look like?
A day in the life of a chief of staff typically starts with arriving about an hour before the "big boss" to get ahead on the day's calendar. This involves tracking not just their own schedule, but also those of the vice president and other senior leaders.
The focus is on understanding the day's plan and goals. Once the vice president arrives, the pace picks up significantly, making the job quite reactive.
This often involves dealing with unforeseen events like public relations fallout, news articles, or meetings with poor outcomes. These situations prompt strategic-level reactions.
A significant portion of the day is dedicated to preparing for these reactions, which includes creating slide decks, crafting messaging, and determining the best way to communicate it effectively.
When things are slower, the chief of staff has the autonomy to determine how to spend their time. There's enough trust from leadership to expect them to set their own priorities and figure out what needs to be done.
Much of the chief of staff's time is spent in meetings and involved in various projects and operations. A big part of their "free time" is dedicated to networking.
The underlying goal of this networking is to get to know everyone, understand their roles, skills, interests, and even their hobbies. Through these connections, the chief of staff identifies roadblocks, potential improvements, and then connects people to achieve more efficient outcomes or foster a better overall environment.