The Isolation of Leadership: Why Every CEO Needs a Sounding Board

It’s isolating at the top.

More common wording is, “It’s lonely at the top”,
But I don’t know if this is a truly a sentiment that hits everyone.

There are lots of senior leaders, CEO’s and business owners (especially those with a preference for introversion) that don’t necessarily feel lonely.

But when you are an entrepreneur who founds an organization
Or a leader who moves into the most senior ranks,
there’s a risk that fewer and fewer people will provide you with:

• Direct feedback
• Confrontative questions
• A safe place to express uncertainties.

It’s my experience that people in such roles are often isolated.

When people consider engaging a Leadership Coach, they typically think of investing in their leadership development.

But they might overlook the place that I spend the bulk of my time working with CEO’s and business owners… These clients value having a sounding board.

In our working relationship, they can:

• Bounce ideas
• Identify their pros and cons
• Discuss “what if” scenarios
• Get nudged on areas they might be overlooking
• Be challenged on aspects of the plan they may be avoiding
• Receive encouragement to consider alternate creative outcomes
• Be confronted when they appear to be an “emperor wearing no clothes”.

Of course, I work with leaders on growing their leadership skills and their impact on others

But I’m also retained as a sounding board, particularly in long-term coaching engagements where I gain a deep understanding of the client’s business.

As a trained Coach, the key offering is provocative questions.
And when your Coach knows your business deeply enough, they may don the consulting hat from time-to-time, becoming thought partners & trusted advisors.

One client has worked with me at key junctures for over 8 years as he’s doubled the size of his 2nd generation family business and expanded service offerings.

Another client has partnered with me on-and-off for over 17 years as he’s expanded his holding company, entered new geographies and looked at succession.

A sounding board for leaders at the top supports them in:

• Making significant business decisions
• Choosing whether to abandon a big $$ investment mid-way through
• Deciding whether to switch gears on a service offering
• Sifting through moral compass quandaries.

If it’s isolating for you at the top, consider engaging a professionally-certified coach as a confidential sounding board.