The Right Hand: Conversations with the Chiefs of Staff of the World's Most Powerful People

by Phoebe Saintilan-Stocks

We all know the names: Jacinda Ardern, Kamala Harris, Tony Blair, Justin Trudeau, John Howard, Sanna Marin, Nelson Mandela, and Julia Gillard. But what about the people standing just behind them?

In The Right Hand, Missing Perspectives founder Phoebe Saintilan-Stocks interviews the chiefs of staff to some of the most influential presidents and prime ministers of our time. The stories they share are nothing short of extraordinary:

Supporting Nelson Mandela as he emerged from prison and stepped into power
Being sent home from Balmoral by the Queen
Fielding offers of assistance from Vladimir Putin on the day of the September 11 attacks
Being shown projected death tolls in the COVID-19 briefing room
Boarding a blacked-out train into Kyiv at the start of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine
Aiding Kamala Harris during one of the most anticipated elections in history―and then navigating a devastating loss
(Also, Justin Trudeau doesn’t drink coffee.)

In this book, some of the world’s most powerful chiefs of staff open up about leadership, loyalty, power, and pressure. If you’ve ever wondered what it’s like to operate inside the highest corridors of power, this is your all-access pass.

Genres: Nonfiction, Politics, Audiobook

304 pages, Paperback

Expected publication July 14, 2026

Reviews

[Carla Boniolo · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting content written in an unimaginative way. It’s basically all verbatim transcripts from interviews which, whilst interesting, doesn’t really seem cohesive or pulled together with any real journalistic intent. An easy read.

[✨ jami ✨ · Rating 3 out of 5]

this had plenty of interesting tidbits but I felt the structure was really messy... lots of repeated passages for no real reason and a lack of any sort of overarching message. some chapters were heavily interview style/verbatim conversations others were more history focussed. just weirdly edited.

2.5

[Mia Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

This kind of book is my CRACK!!! So so so fascinating and inspiring. Chief of Staffs are in a league of their own

[H · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 - Interviewee stories were insightful but something about the way it was presented didn’t work for me so 1.5 stars off for that. The author’s narrative would often repeat content from the interviewee monologue, which was annoying and did not add value, and it happened often enough to feel like déjà vu while I was reading.

[Maddi S · Rating 5 out of 5]

‘Looking back, even to when I was eleven years old, it’s clear that I’ve always been fascinated by the supporting role. The people behind The People’.

From the turn of the first page I knew I was in for a ride with ‘The Right Hand’.
Often overlooked by the public, and overshadowed by the world’s most influential and powerful people, ‘The Right Hand’ pulls the stage curtains and places the spotlight directly on the ‘the people behind The People’.

Saintilan-Stocks gives us an all-access pass behind the scenes when the whole world is watching.
From mundane reminders to eat breakfast, to briefings on projected death tolls during a global pandemic - these extraordinary people have lived lifetimes.
With interviews and stories from the likes of Katie Telford and Barbara Masekala, you won’t be able to put this one down (until it’s 2:00am and you accidentally finished it in one sitting).

For fans of Leigh Sales and Julia Baird, the politically inclined and not-so-much, this book is for everyone.

Thank you to the author for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

[Tim Allerton · Rating 3 out of 5]

No great insights here - they work/ed hard with their doors open 24/7.

[Claire Baxter · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5. I heard the author interviewed on a podcast and loved her concept and was excited to read the book. But it wasn't quite what I wanted it to be. I'd hoped for a bit more insight into what it was like to work behind the scenes during significant global events but all too often something like 9/11 or COVID was just referenced in a paragraph mentioning that it was a difficult time. So it is more of a book of reflections on what a chief of staff job is like, which is interesting but more surface level than I guess I'd hoped for.

[Jill · Rating 3 out of 5]

She interviewed amazing Chief of Staff to some notable leaders from across the world and was great insight to what happens behind the scenes + the relationship they had with their PM.

Although it would be more fascinating if she had interviewed more conservative to MPs like John Howard, I think he was the only one from a right wing party. Tony Blair’s (lol prob the most conservative and controversial) Chief of Staff was the most fascinating. How his grandad was the personal advisor for Churchill and brother advised for Thatcher. I wonder what family secrets they had……

[Katie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really interesting interviews with chiefs of staff to former world leaders - a little peek behind the curtain during some major events, including post-apartheid South Africa, wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, mass shootings, COVID, and Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

[Ruby M · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love books about behind-the-scenes roles and this one didn’t disappoint! A fascinating look behind the curtain of some of the most significant leaders of recent history and the people by their sides

[Jordi · Rating 2 out of 5]

Hard to rate because the stories of the chiefs of staff themselves were very interesting but I found the author very hard to take seriously and also the book was highly partisan - only one chief on the right and the questions to him were very pointed in a way that none on the left received.

Worth reading the interviews for sure and the concept was a good one.

[Bella Hosking · Rating 3 out of 5]

While I enjoyed getting inside the head of these people, I felt like it was just a transcript of their interviews and more could have been done to ‘create’ the story? Nevertheless, fascinating read and kudos to the author for getting typically private people to share their stories with us.

[Luke Gallagher · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was one of those rare nonfiction reads that pulled me in completely. The Right Hand manages to make the invisible visible, turning the backstage architects of power into fully formed people. It is not just about proximity to decision-making, but about what it means to serve, to support, to guide, without ever standing in the spotlight.

The stories are astonishing. From the intimacy of crisis rooms to the quiet weight of protocol, each chapter opens a small window into a world that rarely speaks. And what makes it so compelling is not just the access, but the emotional precision with which these experiences are told. These are people shaped by loyalty, pressure, and purpose, and their insights are unforgettable.

It left me with a deeper appreciation of influence – the kind that operates behind closed doors. I could have read hundreds more pages. A quiet triumph.

[Alexa · Rating 4 out of 5]

This one sits just under 4 stars for me. As a PolSci nut this book was such a fantastic opportunity to hear from the voices behind-the-scenes. What a star-studded group that Phoebe got to interview - I was simply blown away by how much of themselves are put into the role, and the extraordinary circumstances they each had to navigate. It gave a human touch to the political machine, and was a reminder to me that democracy is not to be taken for granted, but is something that we must work on every day to maintain. I would have rated the book slightly higher, but as other reviewers have pointed out, there was quite a bit of repetition of content due to the format. While this didn’t ruin the book for me, it did make me wish I could fast-forward through certain sections.

[Gabrielle Gardem · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was really excited for this book, but was disappointed with the execution!

I really enjoyed Phoebe’s introduction of each person, but it followed with essentially word for word what that person had said, which ended up feeling disorganised, thrown together, and repeated what she had already said, eg three times she mentioned having coffee in Melbourne with Ben Hubbard.

I also listened to the audiobook version which was fine, but it was hard to tell where a person’s quotes/perspectives started and ended compared to if I had read it myself.

Really interesting concept and content, but execution fell a bit flat unfortunately.

[Ava Grace · Rating 5 out of 5]

WOW!!! Phoebe writes this from an incredibly insightful and articulate perspective, perfectly encapsulating HOW politics is personal. Each chapter reminds us politicians are people too, but especially the people working behind the scenes. It was unbiased, and formulated with nuances, keeping you reading more and more. Learning more and more about the insiders. The detailed and clear recounts of daily life as a chief of staff highlights their struggles, their lives and just how they put it all together. 99.9% of the effort and work of presidents / prime ministers should be going towards their COS. Apart from this, it was just an interesting book to read!!!!

[Mickey · Rating 5 out of 5]

9/10

This is essentially a series of candid, transcript-style interviews with chiefs of staff to some of the world’s most influential leaders, including Nelson Mandela, Kamala Harris, and Justin Trudeau.

It offers a fascinating peek behind the curtain of global politics, revealing the immense pressure, loyalty, and influence held by those operating just out of the spotlight. Through firsthand accounts of major world events and high-stakes decision-making, the book highlights how much power sits with these “right hand” figures.

Concise take: a compelling, insider look at leadership told through raw, interview-driven perspectives - an impressive and genuinely engaging read.

[Annaleise · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really thought this would be a book that I would love, but sadly not. The transcripts are edited to smooth them out, and I wondered if this made them sound too similar? Or, perhaps, the questions posed weren't my interest area? I started to skip the editor's introduction to each interviewee because there was double up with the content of the interview to come (a strategy I would recommend). Still interesting and definitely full of things that will be coming to mind in the years to come. I found it a bit tedious.

[Shreya M · Rating 4 out of 5]

a great read! loved the interview format of the book. an introspective look into the right-hand personnel of the world's most powerful, and the amount of power (and responsibility) one can exude as the principal person for a principal politician. good insight into different political systems and processes around the world

[Bella Gillett · Rating 3 out of 5]

extremely interesting idea in theory, poor execution. well-researched and politically diverse lineup but the writing failed to do justice to the calibre of interviewees. read like a basic essay - highly informative yet lacks any analytical insight.

[Em Prez · Rating 4 out of 5]

first non fiction of the year - obviously this is my favourite subject matter so of course I enjoyed it and Ben Hubbard was a highlight for me as a Labor staffer. The structure and author's writing style is nothing to phone home about unfortunately.

[Bri Ellison · Rating 5 out of 5]

If I took a shot every time I audibly said “FAR OUT that’s so cool/interesting” I’d be blackout by 100 pages

[Emily Morgan · Rating 4 out of 5]

enjoyable, easy read, insightful

[Lou | bookswithlou · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was very very interesting, something I’ve never really thought about. Glad I picked this one after listening to Phoebe on a podcast last year talking about this.

[Tessa Fergusson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such an insightful and inspiring book

[Kelsey · Rating 4 out of 5]

Audiobook > physical book for this format!

[Courtney · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am the exact target audience for this book. Loved it! Such a cool concept and fascinating stories.

[Maggie Blakeney]

Some of the chiefs of staff are interesting, but I don't feel the book is adding anything. I tired the audio book and I'm also not a fan of the narration.

[Sash · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pretty generic, not a lot of insight but I still enjoyed it

[Sarah Loveday · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Right Hand provides an engaging look into the lives of chiefs of staffs and their relationships with world leaders, exploring their motivations, personalities and the unique pressures of wielding such significant power behind the scenes. The interview-style structure offers insight into how these pivotal figures operate and influence the political landscape, shedding light on a role often overlooked and largely kept in the shadows.

I found myself wishing for more revealing, juicy anecdotes about the politicians themselves, though this is a testament to the chiefs' qualities that made them so effective. Overall it was an informative read that deepened my understanding of political machinations, despite leaving me craving a bit more insider drama and gossip.