15 May Unblurring the Lines Between CEO and COO Responsibilities

CEO. COO. These are the roles I find crucial to any business. Agree or disagree? I’m happy to debate!

I will concede that it’s easy for the lines between these roles to get blurred, especially in startups and smaller companies. Why does this happen, and how can we avoid it? First, it’s important to look at the “traditional” roles of each.

Coloring Inside the CEO/COO Lines

The CEO is the “visionary leader” who sets the strategic direction of the company, making high-level decisions and overseeing the implementation of long-term plans. They’re the face of the company, representing it to the public, investors, and other stakeholders.

The COO is responsible for the day-to-day operations and execution of the company’s strategy. They ensure the smooth functioning of all departments, manage resources efficiently, and drive operational excellence. They’re the “doers,” putting the CEO’s vision into action.

However, these roles can often overlap, especially in smaller organizations where resources are limited. The CEO might be more involved in daily operations, while the COO may contribute to strategy development. This is where the lines start to blur. 

Is that a bad thing? Not necessarily. 

Coloring OUTSIDE the Lines Isn’t Always a Bad Thing

I think the most important thing to keep in mind is any one company’s unique needs. Might the COO have strategic insights that move the company objectives along? Absolutely. Could the CEO have a history of operational excellence? You bet. 

The key thought to keep in mind is sticking to whatever role/responsibility that will progress vision, mission, and objective. So…

1) Instill Clear Communication Practices

• Set expectations. Establish a clear understanding of the primary functions and decision-making responsibilities for both the CEO and COO. This will help avoid confusion and ensure that each executive is aware of their individual duties.
• Encourage open dialogue. Maintain an open line of communication between the CEO and COO. This will enable them to discuss challenges, share insights, and collaboratively resolve any issues that arise.
• Foster a culture of transparency. Promote a transparent work environment where both executives feel comfortable discussing their roles, objectives, and any potential overlap with the rest of the team. This ensures everyone in the organization understands their respective functions and avoids any confusion.

2) Delegate Effectively without Micromanaging

• Prioritize tasks. Both the CEO and COO should have a clear understanding of their priorities, with the CEO focusing on high-level, strategic tasks and the COO concentrating on operational aspects. This distinction helps ensure that each role remains true to its purpose.
• Empower team members. Encourage the delegation of tasks to the appropriate team members, allowing both the CEO and COO to focus on their primary responsibilities. By empowering employees, the executives can alleviate some of their workload and reduce the chance of role overlap.
• Utilize project management tools. Use project management tools to track tasks, set deadlines, and monitor progress. This can help the CEO and COO stay organized and manage their time more effectively.

3) Perform Regular Check-Ins (Schedule Them!)

• Schedule periodic evaluations. Set up regular reviews for both the CEO and COO to assess their performance, identify any areas where their roles may be overlapping, and realign their focus as needed.
• Celebrate successes and learn from challenges. During check-ins, celebrate the achievements of both roles and discuss any challenges encountered. This helps foster a culture of continuous improvement and growth.
• Be open to feedback. Encourage the CEO and COO to provide feedback on each other’s performance, as well as solicit feedback from their teams. This can help identify areas for improvement, enabling both executives to stay focused on their responsibilities and avoid role confusion.

Getting CEOs and COOs on the Same Page

In my years of experience working in the COO (and sometimes CFO) role, I’ve found the above three tips to be wildly helpful. It’s so crucial to make sure there’s an agreed-upon way of doing things between the CEO and COO, no matter what those roles and responsibilities entail.

If you’d like to get more information about the specific steps I take to help CEOs and other executives grow and succeed in their businesses, please reach out. You can contact me here via my website or email me directly at michael@consultstraza.com.