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Resources

Tools, guides, and insights.

Free resources for executive leaders, Chiefs of Staff, and anyone implementing AI with rigor.

Downloads & Assessments

CoS Archetype Assessment

Discover which type of Chief of Staff you are — Operations, Strategy, Transformation, or Executive.

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CEO Archetype Quiz

Decode your CEO's operating style — beyond preferences to operating system.

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State of the Chief of Staff Report

Annual research on how the role is evolving and what it means for your trajectory.

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CEO Archetypes Guide

A framework for decoding your CEO's operating style — beyond preferences to operating system.

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Strategy & Execution Framework
Weekly Newsletter
Free Webinar Series
Part 1 — Free & Public

"The Executive Operating System"

How Leaders Actually Think (Whether You Have the Title or Not)

Learn the difference between operational and executive thinking. Get the Three Questions Framework and see how one shift in perspective changes everything.

Coming Soon
Parts 2 & 3 inside the Chief of Staff Circle
Articles & Insights

Frameworks, patterns, and practitioner-level thinking on executive operations, AI, and leadership.

CoS Fundamentals

What Does a Chief of Staff Actually Do?

The definitive answer — from someone who did it for 20 years.

CoS Fundamentals

The Five Questions Every CoS Should Ask Their CEO in Week 1

Decode your CEO in one conversation instead of six months of guessing.

CoS Fundamentals

Chief of Staff vs. Executive Assistant: The Real Difference

Same proximity to the CEO. Completely different scope, authority, and outcomes.

CoS Fundamentals

The First 90 Days as a Chief of Staff

A practitioner's playbook for the most critical window of your tenure.

CoS Fundamentals

How to Become a Chief of Staff

Career path, skills, and what no one tells you about breaking in.

Executive OS

The Executive Operating System, Explained

The three functions that drive clarity, rhythm, and execution for executive leaders.

Executive OS

How to Build an Operating Rhythm That Actually Works

Weekly, monthly, quarterly — the cadence architecture behind high-performing teams.

Executive OS

The D.A.R.E. Framework: Decisions, Alignment, Rhythm, Execution

The four-part system for turning executive intention into organizational action.

Executive OS

The 4 Chief of Staff Archetypes: Which One Are You?

Operations, Strategy, Transformation, Executive — and why it matters for your career.

AI for Leaders

Beyond the Pilot: Why Most AI Implementations Stall

And how to move from experimentation to measurable ROI.

AI for Leaders

The Human + Agent Model: How Leaders Should Think About AI

Stop thinking about AI as a tool. Start thinking about it as a team member.

AI for Leaders

How to Measure AI ROI Without Losing Your Mind

The metrics that matter when your board asks what AI is actually doing.

AI for Leaders

AI Implementation: The 30-Day Sprint

From zero to measurable value in one month. The sprint that actually works.

Leadership & Strategy

Impostor Syndrome Is Structural, Not Personal

Why high performers feel behind — and what to do about it.

Leadership & Strategy

Strategic Thinking vs. Operational Thinking

The shift no one teaches you — and why it determines your ceiling.

Leadership & Strategy

Cross-Functional Alignment: Getting Teams Rowing Together

How to get departments out of silos without adding more meetings.

Leadership & Strategy

What CEOs Actually Want from Their Leadership Team

And won't say out loud. The unspoken expectations decoded.

Frequently Asked Questions

Questions we hear often.

What does a Chief of Staff actually do? +

A Chief of Staff operates as the executive's force multiplier — managing strategic priorities, aligning cross-functional teams, and ensuring that decisions translate into action. Unlike an executive assistant who manages schedules and logistics, a CoS owns outcomes: they run operating rhythms, prepare decision memos, manage special projects, and serve as the connective tissue between the executive and the rest of the organization.

What is the difference between a Chief of Staff and an Executive Assistant? +

While both roles support executives, the distinction is scope and authority. An EA manages the executive's time, calendar, and communications. A Chief of Staff manages the executive's priorities, decisions, and organizational alignment. A CoS typically has authority to make decisions on the executive's behalf, lead cross-functional initiatives, and represent the executive in meetings.

What is CoS-OS™ and how does it work? +

CoS-OS™ (Chief of Staff Operating System) is a proprietary methodology created by Michelle DeFouw that gives leaders a structured framework for executive-level operations. It includes the D.A.R.E. framework (Decisions, Alignment, Rhythm, Execution), an archetype assessment system, and practical tools for running operating rhythms, decision processes, and strategic planning.

How do the AI transformation sprints work? +

Find MAC offers three structured engagement levels. The 30-Day Sprint establishes your AI foundation. The 90-Day Sprint scales what works across departments with custom workflows and ROI tracking. The 365-Day Sprint is a full enterprise transformation that embeds AI into your operating model and builds internal AI capability.

Who is Find MAC for? +

Find MAC serves two audiences: Chiefs of Staff and executive operators who want a structured methodology for strategic execution, and organizations looking for structured AI transformation from initial assessment through full enterprise deployment.

What is the CEO Archetype Quiz? +

The CEO Archetype Quiz is a free assessment that identifies your executive leadership style across four archetypes. It takes about 5 minutes to complete and you receive personalized results with actionable recommendations for your leadership development.

How do I join the Chiefs of Staff Circle? +

The Chiefs of Staff Circle is a community hosted on Mighty Networks for current and aspiring Chiefs of Staff. Inside you'll find peer discussions, resource libraries, the free webinar series, and direct access to the CoS-OS™ methodology in practice. You can join through the link on the Executive OS page or in the footer navigation.

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