Executive Support Recruiters
You know it’s time to hire a right-hand partner. But you need help finding the right match. These resources can help! Specialized Recruiters for Executive Support Roles Monique Helstrom Specialized recruiting for Executives who can’t afford a mismatch. You’re not just hiring an Assistant—you’re selecting a business partner. Monique has spent her career on both […]
What’s an Associate Chief of Staff and Why You Might Need One
By Madeleine Niebauer, founder and co-CEO of vChief, a fractional executive talent network that helps organizations stabilize and scale through interim and fractional leadership. If you’re a Chief of Staff, you already know the drill: you’re in the trenches, juggling executive priorities, cross-functional projects, comms, board prep, strategy alignment, and about 47 other things that […]
R-E-S-P-E-C-T | Find Out What It Means to Executive Assistants
There’s a lot of talk about how Executive Assistants and Force Multipliers should be “respected as strategic partners.” And while I agree with the sentiment (yes, respect is critical for a successful working partnership), it’s not something that shows up on day one just because you do. Respect is earned. It’s built. It’s given by […]
Thinking About Partnering with an Entrepreneur? Read This First.
If you’re an Executive Assistant, Chief of Staff, or Force Multiplier eyeing a role alongside a founder, entrepreneur, or small business owner, read this first. I’m a huge advocate for the power of strategic right-hand partnerships in entrepreneurial businesses. When the fit is right, this kind of role can be deeply fulfilling, dynamic, and wildly […]
How to Align Your Work with Company and Leadership Goals
As you’re evaluating your job, considering your career growth, and determining how you want to make an impact this year, it’s important to align your work with company and leadership goals. If the company (and your Principal) are hitting their goals, that’s good for everyone. And, it can be much more rewarding for you when […]
LinkedIn News 25 Big Ideas That Will Change Our World in 2025 – Force Multiplier Edition
LinkedIn News recently released their 25 Big Ideas report, sharing ideas they believe will change our world in 2025. As Force Multipliers, I think it’s important to read through the article and consider how these predictions may apply to your company, industry, and career opportunities. To get you started, take a look at how I […]
The Executive Assistant Flex: Why Are EAs Expected to Flex “Up”, but Chiefs of Staff Never Flex “Down”?
Here’s something for you to think about this week: Why are Executive Assistants often expected to flex “up”, but Chiefs of Staff are never asked (and in fact, are usually encouraged not) to flex “down”? I mean, we hear it all the time: Chiefs of Staff (CoS) are “strategic” and “operational leaders,” while Executive Assistants […]
Do You Have Any Questions for Me? 13 Questions to Ask During Your Next Interview
We’ve all been there before… you’ve landed an interview for a job that you’re really excited about. You’re meeting with the CEO to discuss their job opening for an Executive Business Partner. The interview is going really well. And then the CEO asks, “Do you have any questions for me?” And your mind goes blank. […]
21 Executive Assistant or Force Multiplier Interview Questions
You’re ready to hire an Executive Assistant. Congratulations and smart move! A great Executive Assistant is an invaluable asset, helping you clarify your thinking, organize and implement your projects and priorities, maximize your impact, and give you time back in your day to focus on what matters most to you. If you’re still debating whether […]
What is the Difference Between Force Multipliers and Integrators?
If you’re an entrepreneur or building a career in an entrepreneurial environment, then you have likely come across the terms Force Multiplier and Integrator. While these roles are similar, in that they both work closely with a Visionary leader, they are not interchangeable. There are some key differences that are helpful to explore whether you […]
The 43 Best Quotes for Building a Strong Business Partnership
One thing you’ll always hear us talk about at The Founder & The Force Multiplier is partnership. Most leaders, Executive Assistants, Chiefs of Staff, and other entrepreneurs and Force Multipliers we talk to want the same thing: To build a strong strategic business partnership with their, well, partner. I think the most successful leader/Force Multiplier […]
11 Common Mistakes Chiefs of Staff Make With Executive Assistants
In my ten years as Chief of Staff (heck, in my 20 or so years of professional life), I’ve made plenty of mistakes. Now, many months removed from my role as Chief of Staff, I’ve had some time to reflect on some of the things I would have done differently as a leader, and more […]
No One Succeeds Alone: Revolutionary War Aides-de-Camps and Today’s Revolutionary Assistants
Whenever you’re in doubt about the huge impact, critical support, and strategic execution that Executive Assistants and Force Multipliers provide, just take a minute and think about virtually every successful politician, celebrity, business leader, founder, athlete, military leader, or CEO. More often than not they had an assistant by their side. No one succeeds alone. […]
How to Motivate an Unmotivated Leader
Listen to our podcast episode about this topic here: I recently received a question from an assistant at Meta. She wrote: “While reading your book I kept thinking that it would be nice to have an executive who was motivated and promoted growth. So how we can help a CEO who is on autopilot? I […]
9 Signs You Need a Force Multiplier
The role of leader covers a lot of ground. But, to sum it up and simplify, there are four key things that a leader must do: What is a Force Multiplier? These four focus areas make up a leader’s 20%. That is, the 20% of activities that will produce 80% of their results à la […]
What is a Founder’s Associate?
PLEASE NOTE: This is an evolving topic, as the role appears to have only gained relevance quite recently. This post will be updated as more information about this position becomes available. For some context, as of the writing of this post, there were 1,800 results for Founders Associate on LinkedIn, compared to 543,000 for Chief […]
Are You Delegating Problems or Are You Delegating Tasks?
Why do leaders hire Force Multipliers? Because entrepreneurs and leaders want (and need) more time back in their day in order to focus on growth and revenue generating activities or simply to experience more time freedom. But those relationships don’t always work out. Leaders often make a hire and then wonder why they feel like […]
I Am Not Your Work Wife & Our Company is Not a Family
Work and family. Family and work. Work families. Families are work. You’ve probably heard the terms “work wife” or “work spouse” bandied about. Maybe you think of your company as a family, or maybe you keep the two strictly separate in your mind. Inevitably the lines can get a bit blurry in this ever-connected, work-life […]
Relationship Enders: 5 Ways to Lose your Executive’s Trust
Trust is earned, not given, in relationships, including the relationships between an Executive and their Force Multiplier. The foundation of these professional relationships is the firm belief in the reliability and commitment of the other person. So, what happens when that trust is broken? Can it be repaired? Can the cracks be filled in or […]
Using “First Principles Thinking” to Solve Complex Problems
“If I had an hour to solve a problem, I’d spend 55 minutes thinking about the problem and 5 minutes thinking about solutions.” – Albert Einstein Think you know the best way to move your company forward? Think again. Or rather, think first with “first principles thinking” to solve your business’s most complex problems, bring […]
How to Start Difficult Conversations with Your Boss or Co-Workers
The first sixty seconds of a difficult conversation are often the hardest. What do you say? Should you dive right in? Start with some small talk? Hit them with a compliment first, then the tough issue, then another compliment? (Hint: Don’t do that!) The good news is, Susan Scott has a fantastic framework from Fierce […]
Synchronous vs. Asynchronous Communication in the C-Suite
Effective communication sets the great leaders and Force Multipliers apart from the average. Part of effective communication is being strategic about which forms of communication you use—specifically synchronous versus asynchronous communication. The Difference Between Synchronous and Asynchronous Communication Synchronous Communication Synchronous communication is scheduled, real-time interactions, usually done by phone, video conference calls, or in-person. […]
Is Having a Strategic Business Partnership Right For You?
Listen to our podcast episode about this topic here: I think many leaders and Executive Assistants or Chiefs of Staff tend to fall into their respective positions rather than take them on intentionally—perhaps more than we would care to admit! Top sales reps, promising mid-level managers, or recent MBA grads get appointed to leadership roles […]
How to Have an Effective Weekly 1:1 Meeting
Listen to our podcast episode on this topic here: Over the twelve years that Adam and I have worked together a lot has changed. We’ve built several companies, iterated others, coached thousands of people, wrote a book, launched two podcasts, learned how to become better leaders, and built a company culture of work-life presence. One […]