Network Power: The Hidden Strength of the Chief of Staff Role

"You live in the cracks of the org chart."

That one line, shared by AFN CEO Matt Sitter during a recent Chief of Staff Office Hours, resonated deeply with everyone in the (virtual) room.

Because if you're a Chief of Staff, you know it's true.

You're not leading through authority—you're leading through network.

You're not following a playbook—you're writing one in real time.

While the organizational chart might suggest a clean hierarchy, the real work happens in the messy, relational spaces between them.

This session focused on what it means to embrace the identity of the Chief Network Officer—one of the three core identities that define an outstanding Chief of Staff:

• Chief Network Officer – cultivator of relationships and cross-functional collaboration

• Master of Time – prioritizer and optimizer of collective focus

• Vision Sherpa – carrier and translator of organizational vision

The Myth of the Org Chart

As one participant said, "It gives us the illusion that we know what's happening."

But real influence lives outside those neat lines and boxes. It lives in conversations, trust, and who you know how to talk to.

Chiefs of Staff operate within these hidden systems—building coalitions, bridging silos, spotting power dynamics, and shifting them subtly, all without ever touching a formal title.

The Strategy Behind Relationships

If this sounds exhausting—it can be. Because networks aren't about the number of names in your Slack directory. They're about strategic investment:

• Depth across seniority levels

• Diversity of function and perspective

• Openness to new ideas and people

This is why one of the most powerful skills a CoS can develop is the ability to broker relationships: to see what's missing between two people or teams, connect them, and then step aside.

As John Previtera shared: "You're not just giving a name—you're giving someone access to your trust."

In Their Words

Throughout the conversation, members shared insights that only come from being in the trenches:

• "Praise and feedback must be specific."

• "Being a student of communication never ends."

• "Reciprocity is when both sides keep trying."

• "We don't always get to choose who's in our network, but we do choose how we show up."

These aren't just tactics. They're survival skills.

And they're the kind of reflections that don't surface in static blog posts or whitepapers. They happen in conversation—with people who get it.

Want to Go Deeper?

This is just a glimpse of what happens inside Chief of Staff Office Hours—a private, members-only space for real talk, strategy, and connection.

As a member, you'll get:

• Access to every session from the past two years

• Weekly, in-depth discussions tailored to your challenges

• A seat at the table with expert facilitators and seasoned Chiefs who've been where you are

The Chief of Staff role can be lonely. This space doesn't just make it less lonely—it makes you better at the job.

Become a member and experience the support and insight you won't find anywhere else.