The role of Chief Operating Officer is clearly important. In fact, it's arguable that the number two position is the toughest job in a company. COOs play a critical part in executing the strategies developed by top management. And, in many cases, they are being groomed--or test-driven--as the firm's CEO-elect.Riding Shotgun provides unique insight into this little-understood role. The authors develop a framework that illustrates who the COO is, why a company should create this position, and what the challenges associated with this job entail. Drawing heavily on first-person accounts from top executives, the authors offer a set of strategies to inform individuals who aspire to serve as COO. With a new preface and conclusion, and even more interviews from some of the most established and important companies in today's economy, this book is a one-of-a-kind resource for the C-suite and the boardroom.


Nathan Bennett is Associate Dean for Faculty and Research and Professor in the J. Mack Robinson College of Business at Georgia State University. Stephen Miles is the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of The Miles Group. Previously, he was a Vice Chairman at Heidrick & Struggles. Stephen specializes in CEO succession and has partnered with numerous boards of Fortune 500 companies to ensure successful leadership searches and transitions. Together, they are the authors of Your Career Game: How Game Theory Can Help You Achieve Your Professional Goals (Stanford, 2010).