Intro.

In the classic 1972 mafia film, The Godfather, Don Vito Corleone had Tom Hagen as his Consigliere, (advisor / counselor). In the real world today, Boris Johnson has Dominic Cummings as his. Given the high profile events leading to calls for Cummings to resign, or be sacked, he was fiercely protected by Johnson. Some even thought Johnson’s defense of Cummings could be to the detriment of the Prime Ministers position.

Regardless of opinions, the point is that leaders seek counsel from a trusted advisor. And, as Boris Johnson’s defense of Cummings perhaps proves, advisors are so important, leaders will do whatever it takes to keep them.

So, why do successful leaders have an advisor?

Weak leaders dictate. Strong leaders empower

Weak leaders, or perhaps those with a certain agenda, surround themselves with “yes men” (yes people). They dictate, rather than inspire a collaborative culture that continuously pushes the business beyond the status quo.

The most successful leaders are self aware. They recognise their strengths. More importantly they’re confident enough to recognise their weaknesses. As a result, they surround themselves with a strong team that compliments each other. Each filling the others skills gaps, to create a cross functional team with strength in-depth, empowered and unafraid to challenge each other. And indeed, be challenged themselves.

The fact is, behind every successful leader, there’s a strong team supporting them. However, the best leaders recognise support shouldn’t be limited to employees, or senior managers. Just like Tom Hagen, trusted consigliere to Don Corleone, wasn’t a member of the Corleone family. And Dominic Cummings isn’t a member of the government cabinet. Both had a huge influence on the success achieved, by the people that sought counsel from them.

Every leader needs at least one trusted external advisor

It’s a fact, the most successful leaders have an external advisor, coach or mentor. Even with the strongest team surrounding them, every leader needs at least one external advisor. Some engage multiple, having different coaches to help solve different, specific business challenges.

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“Being a MD can be a lonely place”

Whether you decide to engage one, or multiple advisors is up to you. However it’s important for all business leaders to have at least one trusted external advisor. Someone they can confide in, and seek support from.

As a client once said to me, “being a Managing Director is a lonely place”. He was referring to the fact that as a Managing Director you can’t discuss certain business issues with your team. You can’t always seek advice from them either. Particularly at the most challenging of times, when it’s likely everyone’s looking at you to have all the answers.

External advisors provide a safe environment for business leaders. Outside of the senior management team, away from others with their own agenda. As a result, the relationship between you and your external advisor, coach or mentor, provides you the opportunity to process, seek guidance without looking weak, formulate new ideas and evolve strategies. Above all else, an external business advisor gives you a companion and ally, in the lonely place MD’s can often find themselves in.

If you’re a leader without an external advisor, consider getting one

If you’re a business owner or leader without an external advisor, consider getting one. The right leadership support will accelerate your success, personal development and business goals. In addition, reducing your stress levels.

There are plenty of professional business consultants, coaches and mentors out there. A quick google search will bring up pages and pages of adverts for them. However, if want to save your valuable time, and would like help finding your perfect external advisor, contact us. We have an extensive network of interim consultants, business mentors, leadership coaches and non-execs available to support you.

Unlike general interim recruitment firms, our network has the understanding, first-hand knowledge and experience of overcoming the business and market challenges you’re facing. Our professional consultants have relevant industry experience and the skills you and your business need.

So, if you’re a leader without an external advisor, and you’re considering getting one, talk to us.