admin Following the pandemic and the explosion of employees working from home, we are seeing a growing trend of employees feeling isolated. According to Forbes.com, employee connection is the top challenge for companies according to 95% of C-suite survey respondents. According to Harvard Business Review, “Cultural norms that discourage genuine relationships lead to loneliness.” Loneliness in leadership is not new, but it can be a very costly mistake.
My friend Pete, a store manager of a national retail chain, shared during a 15 Laws of Growth Class that, “The human experience was meant to be shared.” What do you think? For me, I haven’t made significant progress or had success without the help of others. While I’ve had to work hard and overcome obstacles, there is always someone (or many ones) who made a significant impact on my journey. Who has contributed to your success?
“We all need somebody to lean on. No one gains real success, in business or in other parts of life, without the support of other people.”
Harvard Business Review
If support is so critical to leadership, why do most leaders ignore their feelings of loneliness? Leaders will often say, “It’s lonely at the top.” “Being lonely and isolated just comes with the job of being a leader.” This is a common, but costly leadership mistake. It is a mistake for leaders to ignore feelings of loneliness.
Ignoring feelings of loneliness is costly because it can lead to undesirable results both personally and organizationally. It is challenging for leaders to intentionally develop close personal relationships. Leaders are people, therefore they need personal relationships. A lack of these relationships can cause harm to our physical health. People are not meant to live a lonely existence and doing so can be harmful to one’s health.
“Research also shows that loneliness has the same impact on death rates as smoking 15 cigarettes a day.”
Cigna
Organizationally, there is a significant economic cost for companies with lonely leaders.
Workplace loneliness causes burnout, affects job satisfaction, and lowers both performance and retention. It also increases health care costs. Leaders can increase job satisfaction and employee retention by simply addressing feelings of loneliness. Leaders start by first modeling what it looks like to handle feelings of loneliness and then encourage others to do the same. Given that loneliness has significant health and organizational implications, leaders must learn to address loneliness as it emerges.
One solution for handling loneliness as a leader is to find support from others. Credit Union Management is a magazine designed to help credit union executives. In one of their articles entitled “Is Anybody Out There?” Pamela Mills-Senn writes, “Connection and support are essential for combating the loneliness that often comes with leadership.” Where can leaders find connection and support?
First, leaders can build a support network. Surround yourself with a network of trusted individuals who understand the demands of leadership. This can include peers, colleagues, or other leaders from different organizations or industries. Engage in regular conversations, share experiences, and provide support to one another. Sometimes this is referred to as peer coaching. Peer coaching is about cultivating a network of allies to improve performance. Second, seek out mentorship or coaching. Connect with an experienced leader who can offer guidance and support. A mentor can provide valuable insights, share their own experiences, and help navigate challenges. Third, join professional associations or networking groups. Participate in professional communities that bring leaders together through events, conferences, or forums where you can connect, share ideas, and find support.
Who is encouraging you? Where do you regularly find wisdom and support in your leadership role? Don’t make the costly mistake of falling into loneliness in leadership.
For some of you, someone comes to mind right away. Be sure to thank that person! For many of you, you don’t have them and struggle to find them. One place to find these types of people is at my upcoming workshop, The 15 Laws of Personal Growth! Whether you’re just starting your career or nearing its end, you will learn truths you can apply immediately to consistently grow yourself personally and professionally. Topics will include: building a foundation for continual growth, learning to work smarter not just harder, and turning your failures into growth opportunities.
Loneliness in leadership is costly, both personally and organizationally. You cannot afford to keep ignoring your feelings of loneliness in leadership!
I encourage you to look for support from others. Do not stop seeking it until you find it!
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