The CEO Whisperer

A Fool Who Tells the Truth and Only the Truth

Source : Financial Times, 2021

Financial Times_The CEO Whisperer

Management thinker, Professor Manfred Kets de Vries, pointed to the need for every CEO to have a "fool", who will tell only the truth and the absolute truth to them. 

He suggested that as soon as one becomes a leader, one would be "surrounded by liars", people who will tell the leader what he or she wants to hear. And what make matters worse is, one would likely to "fire those who don't tell you what you want to hear."

The leader will now find himself or herself in an "echo chamber". 

Firstly, I am in absolute agreement with his argument. 

However, from personal experience, it is never rewarding to be this "fool". It is almost foolish to do it. The leader inadvertently is not happy to hear the truth, grudgingly agree to your points, and when the positive results come in, you will be the last to be credited. 

I have often asked why I continue to do it, time and again, and it always lead me to the thoughts of my colleagues who depend on us to make the revenue. And not forgetting clients and prospects whom I have bonded with, some for almost 20 years now. 

What about you? Will you be this whisperer? 

If you have been this whisperer, what would motivate you to continue down this path?

Or if you are a leader, how do you nurture such whisperer?

Do send me a reply on your thoughts.

Speak soon,
Ivan

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