Colleague Kay Keenan and I were having coffee this week, remembering times when we have spoken truth to power. Many people are advisors – consultants and coaches like Kay and myself, Interim Executive Directors, parents, teachers, co-workers. We are all in a position to tell powerful people things they don’t necessarily want to hear.

The question is whether these same powerful people turn to their advisors and ask for the truth.

A trusted advisor not only speaks truth to power, but is also to whom the powerful turn for truth.

The trusted advisor has to earn that position, by being transparent, open, and yet discreet; by mutually sharing personal history with the advisee; by always acting and speaking with integrity. By taking the time to earn that trust. By listening to the whole story, not just the immediate challenge. By asking questions that lead the advisee to finding the answers themselves.

With trust comes responsibility

With that trust comes responsibility. Those who are powerful are in a position to act on the truth they receive. The trusted advisor can be the voice that changes the outcome of a situation.

Who are the trusted advisors of the Chair and CEO of a nonprofit?  The chair or president of the board of a nonprofit is powerful. So is the Executive Director/CEO.  They are in positions to influence the direction of the entire organization, affecting their clients, their staff, their supporters – the entire community.

Do they speak truth to each other? Are they trusted advisors? Do they have others to whom they turn for truth?

Many people can speak truth.
A trusted advisor is one who is sought out for that truth.

When the CEO and Board Chair become trusted advisors to each other, your entire organization benefits.