The Most Expensive Chair in the Boardroom.

The most expensive chair ever sold at auction was Eileen Gray’s “Dragons” armchair(also called Fauteuil Aux Dragon) designed between 1917-1919. https://lnkd.in/d6a4FEV5

This chair was bought for Euro 21.9 million (about US$ 28 million) at Christie’s in Paris in February 2009.

It was not made of gold. It was not encrusted with jewels. Its value arguably came from history, symbolism and the meaning people attached to it. That image stayed with me.

Because in many ways, we all chase a “seat” at the boardroom table, in a leadership team, in a meeting that matters, in a space of influence, or in a moment where our voice counts.

But here is the question we rarely pause to ask: WHAT DOES THAT SEAT REALLY COST?

Not in a monetary sense – but in YOU.

For Board Directors, the seat at the table carries the weight:

• The cost of being prepared — reading deeply, thinking rigorously, and showing up mentally present.
• The cost of patience — navigating differing views, strong personalities, and slow progress.
• The cost of courage — speaking up when it’s uncomfortable, even when you’d rather stay silent.
• The cost of integrity — acting in the best interests of the organisation, even when it conflicts with personal values or external pressures.
• The cost of judgement — living with decisions that affect people you may never meet.

And this isn’t only true for boards. It’s true for any meaningful table we choose to sit at.

Sometimes the cost is emotional.
Sometimes it’s relational.
Sometimes it’s professional.
Sometimes it’s deeply personal.

Yet here is the paradox: The cost is also what makes the seat worth it.

Because when you are willing to pay that price – with preparation, character, humility and resilience, you don’t just occupy a seat. YOU EARN IT.

So as you take your seat,
whatever your table may be,
pause and ask yourself:

* Am I ready for what this seat requires of me?
* Am I prepared to grow into it?
* Am I willing to carry its responsibilities?

Seats are easy to sit in.
BUT meaningful seats ask something of us.

And that is where leadership begins.