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The views expressed are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of ASPA as an organization.
By Robert Brescia
June 16, 2017
I’ve often thought that the role of the White House Chief of Staff (WHCOS) was equal in complexity and responsibilities to about any other public servant’s role that I could think of. If something goes right or wrong in the White House, you can generally credit or discredit the Chief of Staff. It’s a gritty position and the person who occupies it must be tough as nails but come across as the “Great Understander” as well. Decisions have to be made and procedures need to be enforced – that’s the job of the Chief of Staff. He or she also serves as the guard dog of the Oval Office. If someone wants to see the President, they need to convince the Chief of Staff they should – no, that they must.
The role is relatively a modern one, coming into vogue after World War II. Presidents generally felt with the increasing complexity and scope of their role, someone was needed behind the scenes to be the number one planner, doer and enforcer in the White House. Inside the Executive Office of the President (EOP), the WHCOS manages the National Security Council staff, the Council of Economic Advisers, the Office of Management and Budget and several others.
Desirable criteria for a good WHCOS:
Summary
My belief: The WHCOS is not the most powerful person in Washington – that distinction is held by the president. The WHCOS is, however, sometimes influential in pushing the president’s political agenda and facilitating eventual legislation. Sometimes the WHCOS serves to shift political “heat” away from the president temporarily until the overall message can be clarified or refined. Occasionally this very important person is the quintessential internal White House organizer and manager. The WHCOS is therefore a very versatile public leader with an enviable leadership skill set. It’s up to you to decide if the incumbent is living up to the promise and potential of the job’s monumental 24/7 responsibility. If your answer is yes, wonderful. If your answer is no, then take heart anyway — it seems the shelf life of a WHCOS is generally one to two years in recent history.
Author: Bob Brescia serves as the Executive Director of the John Ben Shepperd Public Leadership Institute, Odessa, TX. His latest book is Destination Greatness – Creating a New Americanism. Bob has a doctoral degree with distinction in Executive Leadership from The George Washington University. He also serves as Chairman of the Board at Basin PBS – West Texas public television. Please contact him at [email protected] or Twitter: @Robert_Brescia.
Cynthia Ward
June 16, 2017 at 4:59 pm
What an insight into the less-discussed role of the WHCOS! I agree with the author on all points. We can all apply the above-referenced credentials to former, current, and future holders of this position and almost see where they excel or are lackin,g and the direct correlation to their effectiveness in relation to the President’s agenda. Thank you, Robert Brescia, for spelling out what it takes to be a successful chief of staff – to the President or otherwise.