Most Important Skills For A Chief Of Staff At Microsoft
Sonia, Microsoft's Chief of Staff, emphasizes "clear communication," encompassing both verbal and written skills, as crucial for distilling complexity and providing clarity across teams. The ability to collaborate effectively across various levels, from individual contributors to corporate vice presidents, coupled with strong organizational and time management skills, are also highlighted as essential for success in this leadership support role.
Communication, Collaboration, Organization, Time Management, Leadership
Advizer Information
Name
Job Title
Company
Undergrad
Grad Programs
Majors
Industries
Job Functions
Traits
Sonia Dara
Chief of Staff
Microsoft
Harvard
N/A
Economics
Technology, Advertising, Communications & Marketing
Communication and Marketing
Honors Student, Took Out Loans
Video Highlights
1. Clear communication (both verbal and written) to create clarity for teams and leaders.
2. Collaboration skills to work effectively with individuals at all levels of an organization.
3. Strong organizational and time management skills to manage workload and support broader teams.
Transcript
What skills are most important for a job like yours?
For a job like mine as a chief of staff, clear communication is important. A lot of your role is creating clarity for your teams, your leader, and the staff within the organization.
Creating clarity comes with being a clear communicator. This involves verbal and written skills, and the ability to distill complex information. For example, when people are unsure of the North Star, you're helping to clarify it.
Collaboration is also key. You're constantly working across teams and levels. Some of my meetings are with individual contributors who are new and early in their careers, all the way up to corporate vice presidents. Being able to collaborate and work with a lot of different tiers of leaders is super important in this role.
Finally, being organized and managing your time effectively is always important. You have your own work to get done, but you're also supporting broader teams and other leaders. Making sure everyone is set up for success is crucial. These are some key skills to have if you're considering a chief of staff role.