The COO, or the chief operations officer, of a company, is a position that has been rising in importance and popularity in recent years. This role acts as the second-in-command to the CEO, tending to the needs of the leader, the company, and any other aspects of the organization that require aid. The responsibilities of someone in this position may vary based on the needs of the company, and there are several different types of COOs across industries.

The executor, the change agent, the mentor, the other half, the partner, the heir apparent, and the MVP are the names given to these different types of COOs. Those within these roles may differ in their level of involvement with or closeness to the CEO. However, all will possess the vital skills needed to succeed in this role, such as acuity, organization, and a desire and ability to push the company forward. It is because of this that true COOs are rare. 

One of the main roadblocks to filling a COO position is that training opportunities for such a role are rare. This inefficiency is costly to companies, leaving many potential or existing COOs without the necessary skills they need to succeed. Investing in COO coaching can help bridge this gap. Although the future is bright for second-in-command positions, much work, and proper investing needs to be done to ensure that companies benefit from it.

Source: Diane Integrates