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Stacy Kehren Idema

Why Every CEO Needs a Trusted Advisor

and Three Reasons Why You Need One, Now!


You have a big title, an extra-large role, and the pressure to boot. People expect everything from you from the boardroom, at the kitchen table, or in the bedroom. There are very few people you trust and most expect something in return. Your frustration is real, your business challenges complex and the daunting issues mount with each passing day. Not only is the future of your family in the forefront of your mind; but all of the individuals who serve you. Without them; you wouldn’t have a business.

 

The amount of time you spend processing the day-to-day commotion, your next big moves, reconfiguring costly lessons learned; all the while squeezing in moments to ensure your decisions and next steps align with your mission and vision priorities. 


That’s a lot of mental chaos. In fact, my guess is that the chaos runs rampant in your head like the karate kid’s worst enemy. Your mind on overdrive is time and time is money. Your time is money and you know you can’t ignore all of it; because you also know ignorance is not bliss.


As a business owner and the daughter of two business owners AND having been a trusted advisor for many executives during my 26-year tenure in corporate, I’ve seen it all. I sat through more chaos and witnessed more heads in hands and deep, soul-searching sighs, eye rolls, and long, long moments of silence than I will ever have enough fingers and toes to count on. All of these lessons taught me that it is lonely at the top.


Growing up, my dad’s trusted advisor was the kitchen table during our (mostly silent) family dinners. We were only to speak when granted permission or to respond to a question. Occasionally, a random swear word emerged from my dad’s mouth and he quickly went quiet again. Thinking back on it; I know I had a grin on my face (trying desperately not to laugh) and my eyes were wide open. Many moments were quite perplexing as it looked and felt like my dad was crazy. You couldn’t predict the words that would spill from his mouth; you were fearful of crossing him and unsure of your next step as it was crucial not to disrupt his moment of peace.


I’ve since learned he is a good man, with a kind heart, and a big laugh. For my entire childhood, he was a very stressed out human with a lot of lives and their futures he held so tight in his hands. 


For the full article on Thrive Global, click here

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