5 Signs You Need a Part-Time Chief of Staff

You're drowning in tasks, losing sight of the bigger picture, and wondering why nothing seems to move forward despite working 60-hour weeks. Sound familiar? You might not need another employee—you might need a strategic partner who can bring clarity to the chaos. Here are five signs a part-time Chief of Staff could transform your business. 

Sign #1: You're Stuck in the Weeds

You started your business to pursue a vision, but now you're buried in operational details. You're answering customer service emails, managing project timelines, and coordinating team meetings instead of focusing on strategy and growth.

What this looks like:

• Your calendar is packed with tactical tasks

• You can't remember the last time you had space to think strategically

• Important projects sit stalled because you're firefighting daily crises

How a Chief of Staff helps: I take the operational burden off your plate. I manage projects, coordinate teams, and ensure execution happens—so you can focus on the work only you can do.

Sign #2: Your Team Lacks Direction

Your employees are talented and hardworking, but they're unclear on priorities. Everyone's busy, but not much is actually getting done. Different departments aren't communicating, and you're the bottleneck for every decision.

What this looks like:

• Team members frequently ask, "What should I be working on?"

• Projects overlap or fall through the cracks

• You're constantly mediating between departments

How a Chief of Staff helps: I bridge the gap between your vision and daily execution. I translate strategy into clear action plans, keep everyone aligned, and ensure your team knows what success looks like.

Sign #3: Strategic Projects Keep Getting Pushed

You have big ideas—a new product launch, a process overhaul, a market expansion—but they never seem to happen. Urgent tasks always win over important ones, and your strategic initiatives collect dust.

What this looks like:

• You've been "planning to" do the same project for months (or years)

• Strategic planning happens in stolen moments between meetings

• You feel like you're running in place

How a Chief of Staff helps: I own the follow-through. I break down your strategic goals into manageable projects, hold people accountable, and drive initiatives to completion while you keep the business running.

Sign #4: You Need a Thought Partner (But Don't Have One)

You're making big decisions in a vacuum. You'd benefit from someone to pressure-test your ideas, ask tough questions, and help you think through complex challenges—but your team looks to you for answers, not the other way around.

What this looks like:

• You make decisions alone and second-guess yourself

• No one on your team can operate at the strategic level you need

• You wish you had a trusted advisor who understands the full picture

How a Chief of Staff helps: I'm your strategic thought partner. I ask the questions that need asking, challenge assumptions, and help you make better decisions—without the politics or agenda that comes with a full-time executive.

Sign #5: You Can't Justify a Full-Time Executive

You know you need senior-level support, but hiring a full-time COO or VP of Operations doesn't make financial sense yet. You need executive-level thinking without the six-figure salary and benefits package.

What this looks like:

• Your business is growing, but margins are tight

• You need strategic help 10-20 hours per week, not 40+

• You can't afford to make a bad executive hire

How a Chief of Staff helps: I provide fractional, high-level support tailored to your needs. You get strategic thinking and operational execution without the full-time commitment or risk.

The Bottom Line

If two or more of these signs resonate, it's time to stop trying to do it all yourself. A part-time Chief of Staff isn't just another hire—it's a strategic investment in getting your time, focus, and business back on track.

Ready to talk about what this could look like for your business? Let's have a conversation. No pitch, just clarity on whether this model makes sense for where you are today.