Chapter 40 - The First Board Seat She Didn't Control
The new investor received one board seat.
Clara hated the idea.
She admitted it.
“I don't like someone I don't know sitting here.”
Marcus smiled.
“You don't have to like it.”
Clara looked at the new director.
His name was Daniel Mercer.
He was calm.
Experienced.
And completely unimpressed by the Sterling name.
During his first meeting, he challenged Clara's expansion plan.
“I don't think we should do this.”
The room became silent.
Clara stared at him.
“Why?”
“The numbers don't justify it.”
Clara reviewed the projections.
He was right.
She changed the plan.
After the meeting, Daniel approached her.
“You didn't have to change your position.”
“Yes, I did.”
“Why?”
“Because you were right.”
Daniel smiled.
“That was easy.”
Clara laughed.
“No.”
She looked at the boardroom.
“That was very hard.”
She had spent years believing leadership meant being the strongest voice in the room.
May you like
Now she was learning that sometimes leadership meant being willing to hear the voice that contradicted you.
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