Ask a Chief of Staff: Communication Intelligence for Chiefs of Staff: Practical Tools for Navigating Team Dynamics
🗓️ Join us on April 2nd!
For a Chief of Staff, communication isn’t just a "soft skill"—it is the critical operating system upon which every strategy and execution plan runs.
This high-impact, one-hour workshop introduces the Communication Intelligence (CQ®) framework, moving beyond "gut instinct" to decode the hidden patterns of team dynamics. By leveraging the Enneagram as a non-prescriptive diagnostic tool, you will learn to navigate the complexities of human interaction with precision, transforming transactional friction into relational alignment.
✅ What you'll leave with
A Diagnostic Map of the 6 CQ Pillars: Identify where your team naturally diverges across Pace, Risk Orientation, Detail Needs, Conflict Style, Decision-Making Models, and Analytical vs. Emotional responses.
The "Bridge-Builder’s" Playbook: Master the practical language needed to translate across differing internal operating systems, accelerating alignment between senior leadership and functional teams.
Real-Time Adaptability: Learn to recognize your own communication defaults and pivot your style to meet the needs of the moment without losing authority or integrity.
🙋 Who this is for
Chiefs of Staff and aspiring leaders who bridge strategy and day-to-day execution
Those responsible for aligning diverse stakeholders and managing complex power dynamics
Leaders focused on keeping the "human element" of their organization in step with its bigger goals
✨ What to expect
A candid look at why certain interactions stall — and what makes others soar
Powerful "aha!" moments that shift how you think about connection and influence
Actionable takeaways you can apply to your very next meeting, that same afternoon
🎟️ Please note, there will be a 100-person limit on this event. If you are unable to attend live, we will send a recording of the event afterwards.
🎙️ More about the Speaker
Nicole Elias Seawell is a diplomatic, bridge-building communication coach for senior leaders who value precision over guesswork. She is the architect of Communication Intelligence (CQ®)—a system designed to help executives and their teams pause, pivot, and adapt their communication to meet the specific needs of any moment, person, or boardroom.
With a background as a JD (UPenn) and BS (Cornell), Nicole understands the nuances of executive leadership. She works to eliminate "communication drag" within organizations, ensuring that strategy is never stalled by misalignment. Beyond the boardroom, Nicole is a sought-after consultant for leadership retreats worldwide and a trusted advisor for leaders looking to strengthen connections with their spouses and families.
Nicole brings her own leadership experience to the table as a Foundation President and Board Chair. She is celebrated for her “Spine of Sunshine and Steel”—a coaching style that is as effective and practical as it is engaging.
Representative Clients: Monigle, ThirdLove, Arrowmark, Partake Foods, MEA, and Extraordinary Women on Boards.
Nicole is a mother of three adult sons and resides in Colorado with her husband and their golden retrievers.
💜 Ask a Chief of Staff
Ask a Chief of Staff is a premier executive search and career development platform dedicated to placing top-tier Chiefs of Staff and empowering professionals in strategic leadership roles. We serve ambitious professionals and high-growth companies by offering executive recruiting, mentorship programs, and career resources tailored to Chiefs of Staff. By addressing the lack of structured career paths for this role, we provide guidance, connections, and opportunities that accelerate leadership development and organizational success.
Learn more at askachiefofstaff.com.