The Lonely CEO

Isolation…

It’s one of the most challenging feelings about being a CEO.

Power.

Prestige.

These are things someone usually thinks about before they start their business.

The real challenges are unknown.

Not talked about.

On social media you see all these people telling you how make tons of money, grow your business overnight, but they’re just selling you something.

Here’s the reality.

Starting a business - that part's easy.

Running a business - now, that gets tough.

Growing a business - that's where it really starts to test you.

Staying in business - that's the hardest part of all.

I've weathered the storms for over 25 years.

I'm familiar with plenty of one-of-a-kind issues that come with growing and managing a business.

Here;s what social media doesn’t tell you.

You will feel like you’re on an island.

Most of your friends can’t possibly understand.

You’re alone.

Isolated.

Doubting yourself.

Dark days.

No appetite.

Sleepness nights. Weeks.

It will take you longer than you planned.

You'll sacrifice more than you thought.

You’ll want to quit.

It’s non-stop.

I get it.

Some days are sunny, and 72, and others are tsunamis.

The truth is, you are alone.

It’s a lonely place to be when you’ve put your heart and soul into something and you’re the only one that needs to solve the problem. Even if you don’t know how. (the benefits of an advisor)

You’re the only one who can make the tough decisions.

The pressure can be immense.

It can be difficult to get feedback or advice from others. You can’t just call up a friend and ask for advice (because most of your friends aren't entrepreneurs). You end up sounding like someone complaining because your friend can't relate.

You’re the one that has to be the expert, the leader, and the decision maker.

You have to make tough calls and live with the consequences.

Simon Sinek says, “Leaders are lonely at the top.”

It’s not only beneficial but necessary for a leader to have another person they can trust and be honest with.

This ‘other’ should be someone who will offer a different perspective than anyone else in the organization. A true mentor is more interested in your success than their own.

Being in a position of authority can be isolating because the decisions you make can significantly affect you, your family, and the people that work there.

One solution that has helped me is connecting with other business owners and leaders through mentorship programs, industry conferences, and events.

The benefit of an organization like Entrepreneurs Organization (EO) is that it's a group of like-minded entrepreneurs who understand what you're going through and can offer meaningful advice. If your business doesn't qualify for EO, they have an accelerator program.

Being able to talk to someone who has been in your shoes before and knows the various challenges of leading an organization can be invaluable.

Being the CEO can be an enriching and satisfying position but also a solitary journey. That’s the part that’s left out most of the time.

I have had many nights over the years where it feels like I hit a wall and have nowhere to turn.

Every challenge is a struggle and you usually don’t have enough resources to solve them.

These battles are often ones that you must figure out how to tackle by yourself.

Finding another leader to connect with, listen to, and learn from can sometimes be the saving grace.

It is also essential to remember that feeling lonely is natural, and most CEOs go through it at some point in their careers. Therefore, it is essential to avoid taking what was said to you personally and surround yourself with positive and encouraging people.

Hopefully, this article has shed some light on the loneliness of leading an organization and provided a few ideas on how to combat it. If you ever feel isolated or overwhelmed as a CEO, don’t hesitate to email me.