You make a good point. I think my need to bring value comes from being so grateful for the opportunity - I feel like I need to do something for him because he's doing something for me. I guess my time to 'repay' him will come later.
I would suggest keeping your contributions limited to 1-on-1 conversations with the CEO, preferably soon after a meeting.
Taking a role in meetings could potentially create a lot of awkward power dynamics between you and the other executives, in my opinion.
Re:Ask HN: How to shadow a CEO?
by eddieroger on Friday December 21, 2018 @11:06AM
(#18734155)
They're doing this /for/ you, not to get something /from/ you. Show your gratefulness by staying out of the way. Maybe bring donuts in the morning one day, something that doesn't impact the business. You're shadowing, not applying for a job.
If my goal was truly to observe the CEO and learn from him, my approach would be to be as silent and 'small' as possible - don't speak, don't draw attention to myself, sit behind the table, not at it, etc. I'd want everyone --including the CEO-- to forget I was even there.
I suggest you need to figure out what your goal truly is: to learn from him, or to 'bring value' for some reason? I'm not sure the two are compatible.