If you are or aspire to be a senior leader, here are some hidden aspects of the role that you should understand. These aspects can hamper your job performance and lead to intense feelings of isolation and loneliness. Half of CEOs experience loneliness on the job, and most of them feel that loneliness hinders their job performance.
Here are some of the top struggles faced by senior leaders. Which of these ring true for you?
- Bearing the burden of confidential information – You often have advance knowledge of information and decisions, whether the implications are positive or negative. Very often you may find yourself having to keep this information secret which can be extremely stressful.
- Maintaining an even temperament – Your emotions and mood will often set the tone for the entire room. If you show negative behaviors, whether intentional or not, it can have a negative effect on others. You may find yourself keeping your true emotions in check, even when you don’t want to.
- Feeling intense pressure to perform – Ultimate responsibility of the company’s key projects and overall success lie with you. Excuses are few and you’ll likely have direct conversations with the board and your fellow leaders about underperformance.
- Limited ability to share experience – Unlike other employees, you can’t complain about colleagues or teams. Although this isn’t a good habit for anyone, you know that since you’re the leader it sets the wrong tone.
- Doubting work friendships – It’s difficult to know whether or not your work friendships are genuine. Your positional authority may be what attracted others to form a friendship with you. Or, people may feel they have to be your friend because you have a position of power.
All of these elements, as well as those described in the newsletter (inability to be your true self and taking extra care with those in protected classes), combine to put significant stress and strain on a leader.
While these stresses are common amongst senior leaders, you do not have to face them alone. You can work with a trusted third party executive coach or advisor to help you alleviate these strains. As always, feel free to reach out to lauren@evoluteconsult.com with questions.
