Leadership: A Lonely Journey

At a certain level, leadership stops being a job and becomes a weight. As a corporate executive or start-up founder, you know this better than most.

The pressure to lead from the front, make critical decisions in ambiguity, and shoulder the emotional load of an entire team or company can become isolating. It's not that there aren't people around you - its the nature of leadership often leaves you without peers in your immediate circle.

The Feeling Behind The Role

Leadership often looks different from inside. Outsiders see the title, the strategy sessions, the confidence in leading the team, the boldness in making difficult decisions. But they don't see the late nights of pondering, the quiet intimate moments of uncertainty and possibly doubt, or the fatigue of being everyone the very team or everyone turns to for answers - especially when things don't go the way it should be.

For founders, it's even more personal. The time poured out, capital and striving in belief into something that doesn't exit until you make it real. For executives in leadership roles and with teams, Your team looks to you for directions and finding solutions to problems. The management expects responsibility, stability and drive performance. Either way, you're often navigating complex challenges and emotions with very few people you can speak to.

What Do You Do With That Loneliness?

Here's what I have seen - and what many successful leaders and founders have shared in private:

• Invest in trusted counsel - coach or mentors or experienced advisors who can provide clarity to see bigger picture when you emersed deep in the weeds.

  
  

• Embrace moments of isolation - take time to focus on reflection and deep thinking or step back from the noise. You will be amazed that sometimes an idea or solution appears without struggling.

  
  

• Build connections with your team - trust is built when leaders show they care and listen, not just give direction. You will be amazed how the team will strive knowing the leader of theirs are listening.

  
  

• Build connections with family and friends - regular communication with family and friends can help them understand the tough time you are going through. You don't need to carry everything alone.

With the right support you can keep moving forward.

Sarabelle

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