There is an interesting article in the WSJ called “How to be the Best Deputy – When Second is Best”. Having been a chief of staff, chief operating officer many times in my career, being number two is something I’ve really enjoyed.  In the article, they talk about the do’s and don’ts: “take satisfaction in behind the scene wins”, “protect the boss from unnecessary surprises” as dos….don’ts include competing with the boss, expecting glory.  What have I learned?

1. Your boss must absolutely trust you. It doesn’t mean you won’t be questioned, but they must trust your judgment.  There will be times when you will be a proxy for your boss, have to make decisions when your boss is out of pocket.  It’s annoying when you have to say “Let me check with x”.

2. Your motivation has to be something bigger than you. How the division is doing, how people feel: if you can’t solely be motivated by that, don’t be number two.

3. You need to be able to tell the boss what they don’t want to hear. Like when an email is tone deaf.

4. You have to be able to get into the details when your boss doesn’t have the time. Not on everything, but if something looks like a problem, you have to be the one to make sure it’s not.

5. There is no such thing as tasks which are “beneath you.”  You do what needs to get done.

Most importantly, how you do as a number two isn’t just about how your boss feels about it. It’s as important that your peers see you adding value and making them successful.  It’s dangerous to create the ivory tower that has just the two of you in it.