The role of the COO is defined in its meaning. The Chief Operations Officer clearly means that all operations have to be monitored including strategies, decisions, public relations, finances, sales, purchase, relationship with clients and the most important of all, adhering to the federal laws. This is the post for the person who is responsible for everything a company does. His competence determines the success of the firm.

The COO is the top working employee for a firm. The only person above him is the CEO and the board of directors. Because of his seniority, he is considered to be the father figure for the company who is approached for all sorts of advises. He is a counselor, a motivator, a coach, a helping hand and a person who has the power to get things done. With all this, comes criticism from a lot of people. As their position is so esteemed, they are never expected to go wrong and at times have to make harsh decisions. Many of these do not go down well with the subordinates. The company becomes a family with the chief operations officer being the head of the family making all the decisions.

If the business experts are to be believed, the job of a COO is to replace an incapable CEO. He becomes a representative of the firm and is supposed to be in the meetings, presentations, discussions which actually are the job of the CEO. The COO is to be limited to the office works but that is not actually what the real scenario is. More than 80% companies have COOs because their CEOs are incompetent. If the CEO is competent and knows how to carry forward the job, the companies prefer not to have chief operations officer. The post is considered to be inessential and a burden on the company's total revenue. Even if they are hired, their job is limited to what is delegated to them by the higher authorities.

These facts should not be misunderstood. There have been many cases when the COOs have done a marvelous job behind the scenes and have really changed the course of the company's future for which they have been duly rewarded. These successful executives become the prime advisories for the CEOs and all decisions are taken keeping their view in mind. They become the ministers in the court of the kings.

A good chief operations officer would always be energetic and strive towards success. It is not the personal glorification but that of the company that should always be in their minds. Tactical analysis along with day to day reports of the operations being conducted in the organization is their prime concern. They take off the load from the CEOs who can then concentrate on other company matters. The work does not include glamour, it is a hard working job and the only respite is the sense of completeness. Some people take up this position because of passion and some for the large amounts of money involved.