Chief Operating Officers (COOs) are essential members of senior management teams, working closely with the CEO and other executives to ensure the smooth running of an organization. To be successful, COOs must have strong leadership skills and strategic planning abilities. They must also be able to use data and design systems to identify areas for improvement, prioritize tasks, and delegate responsibilities. Good communication and collaboration are essential for COOs to maximize their impact.
To improve communication between departments or teams within an organization, COOs should start by meeting with people at all levels and asking the right questions. This will help them gain information about decision-making processes and identify problems that affect the entire organization. Surveys can be used to measure and articulate key challenges in a non-controversial way. It is also important to be transparent and open, ask for feedback, and have an open door policy. Once the issues have been identified, COOs should use data to illustrate problems or improvements.
This will help eliminate negative emotions and allow them to build the centerpiece of their 12-month operational plan. They should also lead the change when implementing new operations processes for a department, inspiring co-workers to improve their operational performance. Good leadership is essential for COOs to be successful. They must be able to set SMART objectives and consistently measure their progress toward meeting those objectives. Alexander Tuff '03 is a great example of a successful COO, currently serving as the chief operating officer and chief strategy officer of Winged Keel Group in New York City.
