The Double-Edged Sword of COO Roles: On the Way Up or Out?
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In many companies, a Chief Operations Officer (COO) or senior-level operations role is viewed in one of two ways: it’s either a stepping stone to the top or a soft landing on the way out.
Over the past few months, at Ramp Talent , we have noticed a trend in how companies handle these roles. Some executives are promoted to COO because they’re seen as rising stars. Others, however, end up in these positions because the company doesn’t know what else to do with them.
Take, for example, a candidate who spent years as a CFO but became stagnant in their role. The company, eager for change but not ready to let them go, shifted them into a COO position. The result? The candidate is miserable, stuck in a role they don’t want. Sure, there’s always an opportunity to excel, but without genuine interest, it’s an uphill battle.
Contrast this with another candidate who climbed the corporate ladder to the Chief Customer Officer position. This person is valued, but the CEO isn’t leaving anytime soon. The company knows they can’t hold onto this talent forever. Their solution? Create a COO role with a clear path to…
