Agreeing with you more than yourself.

I was very touched by this generosity, not just of his time to impart his wisdom, but a deep need to have the world bettered, and recognizing his part in making what he believes in come to life. I am of course lucky that I fit in that venn diagram, that our desire for smart play and beautiful design overlap, and that we instantly liked each other.

Yet there is something deeper. A heartfelt well wishing of people who share a similar vision and an openness to who we are. He was quite pointed that I must report back on how things went, and that if I needed more or other leads, because the first ideas hadn’t worked out, that I should not be shy to say so. Yes, to tangibly understand the WANT and NEED to do the right thing is quite something if you labor alone for a long time. The sky opens up and a ray of light bathes you.

I am also grateful he can’t fire me, as you point out.

I will be seeking more ÉG’s in my accelerator. I have a few in mind. One you already heard about when we met.

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Wisdom is wisdom regardless of how it is wrapped.

In your instance, Panterosa, you might consider it even more of an advantage as it lacks the formal authority to fire you as the CEO. That is perhaps not an immediate consideration but it is an important one long term.

What you have proven is that the GHE or EG (like your term better, more Continental) is filled to overflowing with valuable to be shared generously. That is his motivation.

Big secret — folks WANT and may NEED to help.
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A meeting with an EG is to step into another world, where everything is possible, and even if all is not advisable, the expansiveness of thinking is beyond refreshing. It was a divine few hours and he was the height of chivalrous, well travelled calm and wisdom – with such a sense of fun and deep desire to make change with his resources and time. We covered such a myriad of topics that I felt I had spun around the globe in that short time.

In my case he is not Board member( I have not even incorporated my entity yet), but yet is providing much of the same role you speak of in connecting me to people, warning me of what not to do, and pointing me straight. He has taken me under his wing to connect me and my products to the right people. He introduced me as if I were the new sliced bread, and his contacts rolled out the red carpet at their top notch establishments.

Do you consider this informal role of an EG if not on a board to have quite different parameters or other hidden opportunities?

From one eminence-in-the-making to another, here’s another gem from Ben Horowitz on why startups need to hire “older” people to grow.
http://bhorowitz.com/2012/12/05/old-people/

And I posted your quote on my Tumblr
http://wmougayar.tumblr.com/

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Oh, they are out there but they are like mountain lions or tarpon — hard to spot.
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The Boss used to drive the BRC long distance but now a trip to the Hill Country or San Antone is about as far as the BRC can go.

I am intending to ring in the next century as the Big Red Car. Don’t jinx me.

Happy New Year to the Low Country and all that wonderful food and great people.
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Yes, I found it and am experimenting with it. Kind of scary, no?
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There’s a style of stewardship described above that not many would understand or condone in today’s investment environment.

There are also board members who sit on many boards, spreading their time and energy thinly but can be helpful in connecting businesses. I’d select the GHE anyday over the connector (they GHE has a deep bench of past partners).