The first founder-Chief of Staff check-in: agree on what good looks like
By Alice Huang, Chief of Staff and operator
Use the first founder-Chief of Staff check-in to agree on purpose, outcomes, access, authority and the next review before adding work.
Your first check-in does not need a list of everything you might fix. It needs a shared understanding of what you are here to do next.
a16z emphasizes clear Chief of Staff responsibilities and expectations. Peter Brack's role charter covers purpose, outcomes, boundaries, decision rights, access and review. Ask those questions before work fills the calendar.
Start with purpose
Which problem matters most now? Why was this role hired? Compare the answer with the job description and hiring conversations. If they differ, surface the gap rather than absorb a different job.
Choose a short list of initial outcomes. Define done, contributors and missing information.
Agree on boundaries
- What you own and what another leader owns.
- Which decisions you can make.
- Which recommendations need approval.
- Documents, meetings and systems needed.
- How to raise blockers or bad news.
- When to review priorities together.
Access must fit the work. Proximity to the founder does not automatically grant permission to read or share everything.
Discuss the working style
How does the founder prefer a recommendation? What belongs in writing? What can wait for a check-in, and what needs an immediate message? How should disagreement be handled?
Ask how your role will be explained to the team. People should not infer authority from being copied on your messages.
Write down the agreement
Send a short summary for correction: purpose, outcomes, scope, decisions, access and next review. Revise it together as the business changes.
This is not a contract or formal delegation of authority. It is a way to prevent two different versions of the job from developing.
A useful first meeting leaves both people knowing what happens next and what still needs a decision. The rest can be learned through the work.