The CEO Whisperer

Behind every high-growth business is a founder with big vision, relentless drive, and a million and one things on her plate. She’s the face of the company, the chief decision-maker, the one raising capital, steering the team, dealing with fires daily, and navigating the inevitable emotional rollercoaster that comes with leading at the top. But even the most resilient CEOs can’t do it alone. And they shouldn’t have to.

Enter: the Chair of the Board. The CEO Whisperer.

More Than a Formality

Too often, founders see the Chair as a tick-box requirement once they take on investment. A formal role to keep the board ticking along and make sure governance is in place. But a great Chair is so much more than that. She’s your sounding board, your strategic partner, your coach. The person who’s not just keeping an eye on the business, but looking out for you as the founder and CEO. Someone who understands the pressures you’re under, and has your back, especially when the going gets tough.

Holding Space for Honest Conversations

The best Chairs are the ones who create a safe space for open, vulnerable, and sometimes difficult conversations. The kind you can’t always have with your exec team, your investors, or even your co-founders. They’re the ones who’ll ask the hard questions, challenge your thinking, and help you see round corners — but also listen deeply, validate your experience, and give you confidence when imposter syndrome strikes. They're the person you can text at 10pm when you’re wrestling with a knotty issue. No judgment. Just clarity and calm.

The Bridge Between CEO and Board

One of the most valuable - and overlooked - parts of a Chair’s role is being the bridge between you as CEO and the rest of the board. When it’s working well, that relationship ensures that everyone’s aligned around the mission, understands the strategy, and is clear on where support is needed. But when things go awry, it can create mistrust, miscommunication, and even a loss of confidence in leadership. The Chair helps prevent that. They bring objectivity, perspective, and balance. They help the board understand the CEO’s world, and help the CEO make the most of the board’s experience.

Coaching, Not Controlling

The best Chairs know that their job isn’t to run the business, it’s to support the one who does. That means coaching, not controlling. Listening more than directing. Asking, “What do you need from me right now?” It also means knowing when to lean in and when to step back. When to challenge, and when to simply offer reassurance.

The Power of Chemistry

Here’s the truth: the relationship between founder and Chair is one of the most important and intimate dynamics in the business. When there’s trust, openness, and mutual respect, magic happens. The founder feels seen, heard, and supported. The business gets the leadership it needs to grow. And the board becomes a true asset, not just an obligation. When the chemistry’s not there? It’s like having a backseat driver in the car with you on a high-speed motorway. Distracting at best. Dangerous at worst. That’s why it’s so important to choose a Chair who aligns with your values, understands your mission, and brings emotional intelligence as well as strategic nous.

So, Do You Have a CEO Whisperer?

If you’re a founder, ask yourself:

• Do I have someone who really gets me?
• Who can hold space for honest conversations — and help me stay grounded and focused?
• Who builds bridges between me and the board?
• Who coaches me to be the best leader I can be — without ever stepping on my toes?

If the answer’s no, maybe it’s time to find one.

Because being CEO is a lonely job. But with the right Chair by your side, it doesn’t have to be.