"Indeed, **the first thing great chiefs of staff do**—whether it’s for a general or a president or the CEO of a local bank—**is limit the amount of people who have access to the boss**. They become gatekeepers: no more drop-ins, tidbits, and stray reports. So the boss can see the big picture. **So the boss has time and room to think**. Because if the boss doesn’t? Well, then nobody can. In his Meditations, [[Marcus Aurelius]] says, **“Ask yourself at every moment, ‘Is this necessary?’ ”**" ([Location 454](https://readwise.io/to_kindle?action=open&asin=B07QY3CZ9L&location=454)) --- **Tags** -- [[quotes]], [[chiefs-of-staff]], [[gatekeeping]], [[mindfulness]], [[eisenhower-matrix]], [[leadership]], [[discipline]], [[self-control]], [[focus]], **Source** -- [[202409180133 - B - Stillness is the Key]]