Can a COO Represent the Company in Meetings?

The CEO that doesn’t feel comfortable talking in public has a problem. Being a great communicator is a trademark of a good CEO rather than thinking of using your COO to substitute you in public speaking, it’s something you can learn. If, as a CEO, you do not feel comfortable with public speaking, you should focus on becoming skilled in this area, which is inherently important for representing the company’s vision and values.

The Role of Public Speaking in Leadership

The CEO’s job is not always to be the mouthpiece. Your role is to set the strategic direction for the company and have the pulse and interest of the shareholders. There are situations where someone else can effectively represent the company, but this person needs to be highly motivated, hungry, and aligned with your goals.

Effective COO Leadership

In my past experiences as CEO, I have effectively utilized my COO and CTO for specific roles. For example, during my tenure as the CEO of Open Interface North America, I had our CTO do a lot of the talking because he was excellent at explaining the intricacies of our software. A good spokesperson, therefore, needs to align with your views, your plans, and the future of the company.

Strategic Considerations

Your goals will determine the best course of action. If you are promoting the company to customers, it is easier to explain why the CEO is not part of the team and the COO is leading the charge. However, if you are trying to raise money, you are at a disadvantage. Investors expect to see the CEO at presentations and to be there to represent the company. The COO can still do most of the presentation, but it is hard to explain why the CEO is not prioritizing this role.

Public Speaking and Leadership Transition

If you are not comfortable as a public speaker, you need to work on improving this skill. A CEO is expected to represent the company at various venues, and lack of public speaking skills can hinder your leadership capabilities. If you are really uncomfortable with public speaking, you might consider switching roles with the COO.

Example: CEO Transition and Public Speaking Skills

In my current startup, I started as CEO, and many early investors knew me but did not know my co-founder. Since my co-founder was a woman and younger than me, I insisted that she develop public speaking skills and work towards becoming the CEO. When she was ready, I stepped back to become the Chief Science Officer while she took on the role of public speaking and travel. This transition has been advantageous because many of our customers have government mandates to support female-led businesses.

Conclusion

Being a founder means that you have a lot of jobs to do, and public speaking is one of them. However, as the company grows, you can hire skills where you are weak and step back to doing the things that interest you. Leadership roles can be effectively shared, but the CEO must still be prepared to step up when needed. Developing your public speaking skills is an essential part of being a successful CEO and company leader.