Who do CEOs talk to before a big decision?
The best ones talk to someone outside the company who has sat in the seat, has no stake in the outcome and keeps it private. Not the team, who report to them. Not the board, who judge them. Someone in their corner only.
So most CEOs make the biggest calls alone, in their head, at 11 PM.
I started at 17 in Navy search and rescue, checking every part of the helicopter before the crew flew.
Why it's lonely at the top
Everybody who talks to the CEO wants something. Your team wants clarity. Your board wants results. Your family wants you home for dinner. Nobody's job is to help you think.
So most CEOs make the biggest calls alone, in their head, at 11 PM.
Who they actually call
- A peer who's been there, if they've got one they trust.
- A mentor from earlier in their career.
- A private advisor they pay to be honest.
The last one is the only one with no reason to tell you what you want to hear.
What a good one does
Asks the question you've been avoiding. Points out what the other side is thinking. Helps you pick the timing, not just the move. Then lets you decide.
Work with me
Consigliere Advisory: $5,000 a month. A private 60-minute session every week, access between sessions, and prep before the conversations that count.
Or start with one decision: the Private Strategy Session, 90 minutes, $2,000.
"There have been several occasions when Noël asked a question that completely changed how I was looking at an issue. That is difficult to put a price on."
What people ask first
Who does a CEO report to?
Formally, the board or the owners. Informally, the smart ones also have one person outside the company they trust with the real version.
Do CEOs have mentors or advisors?
Most successful CEOs have at least one. The ones who don't often say they wish they had.
Should a CEO talk to their board before a big decision?
Usually yes, once they're clear. A private advisor helps you get clear before you walk into that room.
What's the difference between a CEO advisor and an executive coach?
A coach works on your leadership. An advisor works on the decision in front of you.
How do I find a trusted advisor as a CEO?
Look for someone who has sat in the seat, has nothing to gain from your decision and keeps things private.
What is a business consigliere? · CEO advisor vs executive coach · Should I sell my business?
It stays between us.
I came up on need-to-know. I still work that way. Whatever you bring me stays between us.
Prices are right here. No pitch call. If it's not a fit, I'll tell you.
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