Work Decoded

How to Hire a Second in Command: Your Chief Operating Officer

While the CEO's right-hand person is highly valued, the role is not always well defined.

French government and Olympics officials are seeking a creative solution to allow Muslim French sprinter Sounkamba Sylla to wear her hijab at the opening ceremony while still complying with the country's secularism laws, they said on Wednesday.

Thousands of athletes, including some who wear a hijab, are arriving for the Paris Olympics, placing an international spotlight on tensions in France over national identity and perceived discrimination against Muslims.

Sylla, part of France's 400-metre relay team, wrote on her Instagram account on Monday that her hijab - a head covering worn by many Muslim women - would prevent her from appearing in Friday's blockbuster opening ceremony along the Seine River.

"You are selected for the Olympic Games, organised in your country, but you can't take part in the opening ceremony because you wear a scarf on your head," Sylla posted on her account.

She did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

France, home to Europe's largest Muslim minority, enforces laws to protect the principle of secularism under which state employees and school pupils are banned from wearing religious symbols and clothing in public institutions. Rights groups say these rules effectively discriminate against Muslims.

Eager to avoid an embarrassing domestic flap with the entire world watching, French government and Olympics officials said they were willing to find a solution for Sylla, although it remains unclear what that could be.

"Our citizens expect us to follow these principles of secularism, but we also need to be inventive about solutions to make everyone feel good," Amelia Oudea-Castera, minister for sport and the Olympic and Paralympic Games, said on Wednesday, adding that Sylla "understands our principles, our rules".

Foreign athletes are not affected by the secularism rules.

David Lappartient, president of the French Olympic Committee, said the French Olympic team was "taking part in a public service mission and in this respect it is obliged to observe secularism".

He acknowledged that the French approach "is sometimes incomprehensible in other countries", but said there was still time to find solutions before the gala ceremony.

Numerous French sporting authorities have banned women from wearing religious head coverings, such as in football, basketball, judo, and boxing, according to Human Rights Watch.

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) does not have rules against wearing religious head coverings.

Maria Hurtado, spokeswoman for the U.N. high commissioner for human rights, criticised the French government in September last year over its stance on the hijab for French athletes during the Olympic Games, saying that "no one should impose on a woman what she needs to wear, or not wear".

Le Parisien newspaper reported that Sylla might participate in the Olympics opening ceremony wearing a cap.

One of the most critical aspects in the life of a CEO is their relationship with their right-hand person in the company, the Chief Operating Officer (COO). This connection is fundamental for strengthening operations and for the growth and development of the CEO. How can we better understand this role and ensure we have the right person to carry it out.

Defining an exact description of the role of a COO is challenging, as this position largely depends on how the CEO operates: their needs, weaknesses, and strengths. A Harvard Business Review study titled "The Second in Command: The Misunderstood Role of the COO" identifies seven types of COOs, each appointed based on the specific needs behind their hiring. This means that the COO can specialize in specific areas, adapting to what both you, as the CEO, and your company require.

In this role, there are no established formulas. Therefore, understanding it and setting a standard for success is complex. The COO does not necessarily have to be solely responsible for operations. Cameron Herold, CEO, consultant, and author, known as "the CEO Whisperer," says that "the CEO-COO relationship should be like yin and yang," meaning the COO is the counterpart to what the CEO does not master, like, or needs help with. You might ask, "Wouldn't they hate that job then?" That's why you must find someone who is good at what you are not and enjoys it. That's the real challenge.

You shouldn't rush to find a COO. Being an entrepreneur is lonely, and we carry many responsibilities and workloads, but before seeking a COO, you should consider if that's what you need at the stage you're in. Often, entrepreneurs hire a second-in-command too soon. Sometimes, what's really needed is an assistant or someone to help with your responsibilities, instead of feeling the urgency to fill such an important position.

To determine the specific skills your COO should possess, Herold suggests conducting an exercise called "Activity Inventory." This involves listing all the tasks you perform over a month, from strategic meetings to conversations with suppliers, email responses, and budget planning, among others. No task is too small. Then, organize these activities into the categories of "incompetent," "competent," "excellent," and "outstanding." This will help you identify the tasks to delegate. Next to each task, note how much you would be willing to pay for someone else to do it for you.

To ensure their success, focus on establishing key performance indicators and clear objectives from the job description. Defining them from the outset will help attract the right people for the role and deter those who cannot meet those expectations. Most importantly, you must have full trust in this person. Take the necessary time to interview them, get to know them thoroughly, and ensure their aspirations align with yours and those of your company.

Having a second-in-command is not an excuse to disengage from the business. On the contrary, this person will be by your side at all times. The role of the COO can vary according to the needs of each company and CEO. The relationship you establish will be key not only for the growth of your company but also for your development as a CEO.