There are nights I’ve woken up in a sheer panic, drenched in a cold sweat thinking about a decision I had to make the next day. A decision that I had to make myself, that no one else could truly help me make. Or so I thought...

There are nights I’ve woken up in a sheer panic, drenched in a cold sweat thinking about a decision I had to make the next day. A decision that I had to make myself, that no one else could truly help me make. Or so I thought...

It’s part of the job description if you own a business, right? That you will be isolated in some ways, that some things will fall on you and you alone will be responsible? 

A report from the Harvard Business Review a few years ago stated that over 50% of CEOs feel lonely in their role and that number increased to 70% for first time CEOs. I’m sure those numbers have gotten even larger to date. 

Even CEOs like Tim Cook, of Apple, have discussed the feeling of loneliness.

“It’s sort of a lonely job. The adage that it’s lonely — the CEO job is lonely — is accurate in a lot of ways. I’m not looking for any sympathy. You have to recognize that you have blind spots. We all do. Blind spots move, and you want to not just have really bright people around you, but people who will push on you and people to bring out the best in you. People that amplify whatever you’re good at. And then also the people who plug the parts that you’re not and may never be.” (The Washington Post)

I agree with this statement above so much. Finding the right people to put around you makes a huge impact. 

The best way to combat the feelings of isolation is at the times when I can seek guidance, I can ask for support, I can do it with someone by my side, I embrace it. And I encourage you to do the same.

My support team means everything me. We are a group of strong women who all own our own businesses. We get each other. Our weekly team calls not only cover our agenda for Slater Success, but we also cover new ideas and trends, talk about what’s going in the world, talk about our families and what is happening in our lives.

We make the connection not only as colleagues but as human beings. This is so important in every workplace. I can tell my team about my fears. I can share with them what I’m facing.

On the other hand, I also have my coach, my mentor. And I can discuss different feelings with him. He’s a resource that is there for me when I need to break down a major decision I need to make in my business.

When I’m stuck inside my own head and I can’t even properly relay what I’m feeling to my support team, he pulls out what’s going on and helps me work through it. 

If you haven’t worked with a coach, it’s such a life-changing experience, especially if you are in a leadership role. 

You don’t have to go about anything alone. You may feel like it’s lonely at the top, but simply reach out your hand and there are a lot of people that will walk right up there with you and you can look at the view together. 

“Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much.” – Helen Keller