Cheers! A Toast If You Work with C-Suite Leaders

It's officially the holiday season, so here's a celebratory toast to those who work with C-level leaders. We have the best job in the world.

I’d like to raise a glass to the great C-suite coaches, advisors, partners, and team members out there and celebrate who you are:?You’ve run companies, held big jobs, made lots of money, led teams, closed the deal, and managed the operation - here’s to you because your insight, recommendations, and true partnership is all borne out of real-world experience.?You don’t pontificate about “leadership” or offer interesting theories that don’t work in a corporate setting because you haven’t ever led anything before. On the contrary: You’ve sat in the seat, and you know what it feels like to be under pressure to deliver results, fast.?You speak the language of business and because of this, executives can count on you to offer real-world, practical insights that resonate and move the needle.

Let’s hear it for anyone out there who has lost it all once or twice, gotten divorced, gotten fired, or just got it totally wrong.?Here’s to you, because you know that great advisors and partners to executives don’t fall into the trap of thinking they have to be perfect or have all the answers. You are willing to let your guard down and be an example of what candor and authenticity look like in practice because you aren’t afraid to talk about the mistakes you’ve made, and lessons learned along the way. ?You know that the more you do this, the more your clients and colleagues trust that they can open up about their own mistakes without judgment. This is when the magic happens.

Raise your glass for executive coaches, the advisors, the partners who reject people pleasing and are completely fine with the fact that not everybody is going to like them.?They deserve an extra toast from us because when you work with executives, it’s easy to get caught in a trap of wanting to be liked or telling others what they want to hear. Instead, you’re the type of advisor who has found a way to deliver a truthful message graciously and compassionately, without harsh “tough love” or soft-pedaling, because you know that others are counting on you. While we’re at it, let’s toast executive coaches and C-Suite partners who exude confidence, who expect clients to do their homework and come prepared to their meetings, and who deliver exceptional value in return. Good advisors aren't just helping leaders, teams, and companies; they are also leaders themselves over their own careers, relationships, health, and financial performance, and when it comes to success, they walk their talk.

Here’s to you, because you truly care. ?The executives you work with probably have no idea that while they are sleeping, you are up thinking about their next board meeting or the conversation they’ll need to have with their CEO.?They probably don’t realize that you’re drafting emails in your head to send about an innovative idea or insight they might want to share at the upcoming sales kickoff or investor meeting. This matters at a time where we need good leaders now more than ever, when employees are working harder than ever, when companies are pushing for growth, navigating headwinds, and people want hope. You’re there to help others shine at a time when we need light and brightness. Cheers! Here's to you.