Every founder dreams of scaling their business.But at some point, growth outpaces instinct.
Deadlines slip, decisions bottleneck, and the CEO spends more time putting out fires than thinking about the future.
That’s when the thought hits: “I need a COO.”
The question is — when?
Here are seven clear signs your company is ready for its Second in Command.
1. You’re the Bottleneck
Everything still runs through you. Sales decisions, hiring calls, even approval for minor expenses.
You’re working harder than ever — but growth has stalled.
A COO frees you from the daily grind so you can return to what only a CEO can do: setting vision, driving relationships, and steering the company toward long-term growth.
2. Execution Is Inconsistent
Some weeks, your team moves fast. Other weeks, it feels like everyone’s spinning in circles.
That inconsistency isn’t a motivation issue — it’s a systems issue.
A great COO brings rhythm and structure: clear priorities, measurable goals, and predictable execution.
3. Communication Keeps Breaking Down
At 10 people, communication happens naturally. At 50, it requires structure.
When messages get lost, meetings multiply, and leaders start operating in silos — that’s a red flag.
The COO becomes the hub for alignment, ensuring every department knows the priorities, the metrics, and the “why” behind them.
4. You’re Hiring Faster Than You Can Manage
Growth means more people — and more complexity.
If your org chart is expanding faster than your leadership systems, things start to slip.
A COO designs scalable processes for hiring, onboarding, and accountability, so you can grow without chaos.
5. You Spend More Time Managing Than Leading
When every day feels reactive — answering questions, approving work, solving the same problems twice — you’ve outgrown your current structure.
The COO gives you space to lead again. They build a layer of leadership that keeps the business running — even when you’re not in the room.
6. Departments Are Winning Individually, But Losing Together
Maybe Sales is hitting quota but Operations is burning out.
Marketing is growing pipeline but Finance can’t keep up.
That’s what happens when departments operate in isolation.
A great COO aligns the company around shared metrics and priorities, turning internal competition into collaboration.
7. You Want to Scale — Without Losing Your Sanity
You don’t need to wait until everything is breaking to hire a COO.
In fact, the best time to bring one in is right before that happens.
A strong Second in Command gives you leverage — the freedom to scale sustainably, protect your culture, and still have a life outside the office.
The Bottom Line
If growth feels heavy…
If your team depends on you for every answer…
If your company’s systems can’t keep up with its ambitions —
It’s time to bring in a COO.
Ready to learn exactly how (and when) to hire your Second in Command?
Get Cameron Herold’s best-selling book, The Second in Command: Unleash the Power of Your COO — your complete guide to identifying, hiring, and unleashing the power of your COO.
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