Leaders across both the public and private sectors are navigating an era of constant disruption. They're expected to deliver major transformations, manage complexity, and balance competing priorities, all while ensuring their own teams are running smoothly. This is why the role of chief of staff has never been more critical. In this episode, three McKinsey experts–all former chiefs of staff–share insights on when a chief of staff is needed and what qualities distinguish those who excel in the role.

Michelle Forrest is the global client capabilities leader in our Strategy and Corporate Finance Practice, and previously served as chief of staff to our former global managing partner, Kevin Sneader. Andrew Goodman is a senior partner in our London office, and leads our consumer technology and media practice across Europe. He has also led our Chief of Staff Forum and our research into the role of the chief of staff for the past decade. Previously, Andrew served as chief of staff for the McKinsey Centre for Government, our center of excellence that helps government leaders deliver better outcomes and experiences. Connor Rochford is an associate partner who previously served as chief of staff for the U.K.'s former Chief Medical Officer.

Related insights

Anatomy of the chief of staff role

Chief of staff: Anatomy of the role in eight charts

How to be a better chief of staff

Seeing around corners: How to excel as a chief of staff

Lessons in leadership: Getting past politics to deliver for the people

Seven tips for success for new chiefs of staff at federal government agencies

Leaders across both the public and private sectors are navigating an era of constant disruption. They're expected to deliver major transformations, manage complexity, and balance competing priorities, all while ensuring their own teams are running smoothly. This is why the role of chief of staff has never been more critical. In this episode, three McKinsey experts&ndash;all former chiefs of staff&ndash;share insights on when a chief of staff is needed and what qualities distinguish those who excel in the role.
<a href="https://www.mckinsey.com/our-people/michelle-forrest">Michelle Forrest</a> is the global client capabilities leader in our Strategy and Corporate Finance Practice, and previously served as chief of staff to our former global managing partner, Kevin Sneader. <a href="https://www.mckinsey.com/our-people/andrew-goodman">Andrew Goodman</a> is a senior partner in our London office, and leads our consumer technology and media practice across Europe. He has also led our Chief of Staff Forum and our research into the role of the chief of staff for the past decade. Previously, Andrew served as chief of staff for the McKinsey Centre for Government, our center of excellence that helps government leaders deliver better outcomes and experiences. <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/connor-rochford-748a3751/?originalSubdomain=uk">Connor Rochford</a> is an associate partner who previously served as chief of staff for the U.K.'s former Chief Medical Officer.
Related insights
<a href="https://www.mckinsey.com/search?q=chief+of+staff&amp;pageFilter=insights&amp;sort=default&amp;start=1">Anatomy of the chief of staff role</a>
<a href="https://www.mckinsey.com/capabilities/strategy-and-corporate-finance/our-insights/chief-of-staff-anatomy-of-the-role-in-eight-charts">Chief of staff: Anatomy of the role in eight charts</a>
<a href="https://www.mckinsey.com/capabilities/strategy-and-corporate-finance/our-insights/how-to-be-a-better-chief-of-staff">How to be a better chief of staff</a>
<a href="https://www.mckinsey.com/capabilities/strategy-and-corporate-finance/our-insights/seeing-around-corners-how-to-excel-as-a-chief-of-staff">Seeing around corners: How to excel as a chief of staff</a>
<a href="https://www.mckinsey.com/industries/public-sector/our-insights/lessons-in-leadership-getting-past-politics-to-deliver-for-the-people">Lessons in leadership: Getting past politics to deliver for the people</a>
<a href="https://www.mckinsey.com/industries/public-sector/our-insights/seven-tips-for-success-for-new-chiefs-of-staff-at-government-agencies">Seven tips for success for new chiefs of staff at federal government agencies</a>

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The world is moving faster, and as upheaval becomes the norm, vast business opportunities will be within the grasp of the extraordinary few. &nbsp;But it takes bold people and courageous approaches to seize those opportunities and create value.
In each episode of our weekly podcast, we interview the world&rsquo;s highest-performing CEOs, CFOs, innovators, and McKinsey experts and discuss how they build the courage, clarity, conviction, and cohesion that allow their businesses to win by moving faster than the world around them.&nbsp;