Loneliness In Leadership Is On The Rise

It's shocking we don't talk about this more...How lonely leadership can be. I’ve coached over 500 confidential, leadership sessions and this is what I notice; leaders feel isolated and it’s impacting their decision making and performance.

In this edition of the Expat Leader's Newsletter, I'll discuss recent research on how loneliness impacts global leaders and offer two ways to overcome it.

My hope is that leaders focus on the mindset and strategies that can mitigate their sense of loneliness, because their impact is huge and we all deserve leaders who feel aligned, positive and at their best.

What Research Tells Us

In a 2016 interview, Apple CEO Tim Cook spoke honestly about the challenges of running one of the world's largest and most iconic companies. "It's sort of a lonely job," he said. Such personal openness is important because it opens up the wider conversation. but research also bares this out; It's lonely at the top and it's getting lonelier.

In a recent CTO survey of 100 people, a whopping 97% reported feeling lonely in their leadership roles.

97%!

Such loneliness isn’t just a short, inevitable phase for new leaders adjusting to challenging, multi-matrix roles. It continues and impacts their:

Motivation and engagement (86.5%)

Confidence in dealing with stakeholders (44.8%)

Ability to lead teams (34.4%), and

Productivity (32.3%)

The Double-Whammy For Expat Leaders & Global Professionals

For global professionals, the impact of leadership can be particularly acute.

Living overseas, while enriching personally and professionally, poses unique challenges that affect daily life and well-being.

Cultural adjustments, frequent travel, family pressures, lifestyle changes, and maintaining connections with loved ones, all contribute to a sense of isolation.

All of this on top of the usual leadership challenges of:

1. Decision-Making Under Pressure
2. Managing Diverse Teams
3. Effective Communication

If this sounds familiar, there are practical ways to navigate the challenges.

First, take action. Combat loneliness is through connection. Two ways to do this are to create your own informal PAD (Personal Advisory Board) and to form a CEO Peer Group.

Relax in Your P.A.D.

Your Personal Advisory Board is a group of mentors, and coaches. Think of them as your unique support team. This is district from your normal friendship or family groups because here the focus is on understanding and supporting you through work challenges. Mentors and coaches are not personally invested in your decisions, and so bring a degree of neutrality that's unique.

Their focus is on understanding and supporting you through the specific challenges of leadership abroad. Their neutraility means they are willing to point out your blind spots and challenge your thinking in a way your boss, colleagues and family rarely do.

Create a CEO Peer Group

You can also consider forming an informal CEO peer group. Having this kind of support beats feeling alone and can provide a confidential space to blow off steam. You’ll be amazed how many other leaders feel exactly as you do. Regular catch-ups ensure you feel connected and part of something bigger.

Here's how you can start building your P.A.D and CEO Peer Group.

1. Gather Trusted People: Assemble a crew of trusted friends, mentors, and coaches. Reach out and ask them to meet informally or in the case of coaches, professionally. They'll be there with advice and encouragement when you're making decisions, seeking feedback, or exploring new paths.
2. Diverse Perspectives: Get a mix of people to give you a well-rounded take on life and work. They will spot things you might miss, challenge your assumptions, and spark your creativity.
3. Reach Out: Start by connecting with people you admire and trust. Clearly explain your goals and ensure it’s a win-win relationship. Keep it positive and take a moment to think about who you would love to reach out to. Your instinct will guide you. Follow it.

Investing in a personal advisory board or creating a CEO peer group isn’t just about tackling loneliness. Think of it as tapping into the shared wisdom of those you respect and admire to enrich everyone’s leadership journey.

Remember, you’re not alone, even when it feels that way.

By reaching out and building a network of trusted advisors, you can turn isolation into an opportunity.

I encourage you to break the silence on leadership loneliness and build a community that supports and uplifts us all.

#LeadershipChallenges #Loneliness #CEO #ExecutiveDevelopment #Purpose #Expats

Deema Ghata-Aura is the founder of Criterion Coaching and an ICF certified mindset and strategy coach based in Dubai. She coaches expat clients and global leaders to create sustainable success without burnout or compromising their values.