DiscoverLeveraging LeadershipFour Reasons to Retain Your Chief of Staff During a Downturn
Four Reasons to Retain Your Chief of Staff During a Downturn

Four Reasons to Retain Your Chief of Staff During a Downturn

Update: 2025-07-23
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Cutting your Chief of Staff during a downturn is a big mistake—they act as a utility player who can fill gaps in HR, operations, sales, and more. Chiefs of Staff keep morale up after layoffs, help maintain strong communication, support the CEO’s decision-making, and are key to rebuilding when things improve. Emily compares them to the knight in chess: flexible, able to jump over obstacles, and unblock problems where others can’t.


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Who Am I?

If we haven’t yet before - Hi👋 I’m Emily, Chief of Staff turned Executive Leadership Coach. After a thrilling ride up the corporate ladder, I’m focusing on what I love - working with people to realize their professional and personal goals. Through my videos here on this channel, books, podcast guest spots, and newsletter, I share new ideas and practical and tactical tools to help you be more productive and build the career and life you want. 

 

Time Stamps:

00:48 Reason 1: The Utility Infielder
01:45 Reason 2: The Culture Keeper
04:16 Reason 3: Keeping the Principal Sane
06:00 Reason 4: The Comeback Catalyst
07:52 Summary of Key Points
08:27 The Chess Knight Analogy

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Four Reasons to Retain Your Chief of Staff During a Downturn

Four Reasons to Retain Your Chief of Staff During a Downturn

Emily Sander