This CEO is on his 4th chief of staff in 5 years — by choice

Covista CEO Steve Beard has hired a fourth chief of staff in just five years. The role is seen as a rotating position rather than permanent, with each new hire bringing a different skill set. Steve Beard's first chief of staff was brought in to handle finance matters, followed by someone with a strategy background, a technology expert, and most recently, a management consultant.

This strategy allows Steve Beard to adapt to the changing needs of his leadership journey. The median tenure for chiefs of staff is around two years, which is both intense and a potential stepping stone for career advancement. Steve Beard's first chief of staff went on to become the CFO of one of Covista's universities, while the second became a vice president overseeing business-to-business operations and clinical partnerships.

The third is now preparing to become a vice president of enterprise pricing. Steve Beard spends about ten hours a day at his desk, and his chief of staff works closely with him, starting with a 15-minute meeting to review priorities. Honest feedback is a key part of the role, with Steve Beard recalling his first chief of staff telling him he talked too much in meetings, leading to more inclusive leadership.

Steve Beard identifies potential candidates through his network, traditional searches, and within Covista's employee base. Two of his four chiefs of staff came from within the company. Steve Beard looks for individuals who can influence without authority, build strong relationships, bring fresh perspectives, and navigate between strategy and execution.

His revolving-door approach has its drawbacks, as replacing a chief of staff means losing a top performer and starting anew with someone who needs time to build rapport. However, Steve Beard believes this approach is worth the slowdown to accelerate growth.