Why it is lonely at the top

Business meetings happen all the time. The question for leaders to think about is: Are the people fully engaged in the meetings or are their minds wandering?

This is how one chairman of the board displayed creativity.

He said: To ensure your undivided attention, I’ll announce at the end of the meeting the one who will write up the minutes.” This immediately got the attention of the participants.

I have met different kinds of leaders through my line of work. They come in different forms and shapes. Most of the successful ones show creativity and courage as they institute changes in their organizations.

When they do, they would always incur the ire of people who would find the initiative disconcerting. There are kinds of reactions and responses either against the leader or in favor of the changes.

Not all leaders are optimistic in nature. In fact, there are celebrity leaders who are classified as the pessimistic type. Then, there are the very bright and optimistic leaders whose words fire up the determination and equip his people with the fighting spirit to face any challenge in the pursuit of their goals.

Tesla’s Elon Musk said: “I am not trying to be anyone’s savior. I am just trying to think about the future and not be sad.” He is also the same person who said, “I want to die in Mars. Just not to crash into it.”

Now, how is that for pessimism?

Meanwhile, Alibaba’s Jack Ma said: „There are big problems that change the world. If we are working together, that will make us understand each other, appreciate each other, and help each other.” He also uttered these words, “Never give up. Today is hard. Tomorrow will be worse. But, the day after tomorrow will be sunshine.”

You have two popular business leaders displaying opposite poles in the pessimism and optimism spectrum.

The unsaid truth about leaders, whether positive or pessimistic, and though they may not want to admit it, is that most leaders must face and fight disappointments most of the time. Ever wonder why this saying exists: “It is lonely at the top?”

I’ve had conversations with the top honchos of many of the country’s leading business corporations, and I say the same thing to some of the top leaders of religious organizations. “If you are occupying a high position of leadership, the higher you go, the more filtered the information that reaches you. The people that surround you laugh at your jokes, nod their heads in seeming interest, despite the fact that they have heard you repeat the same story hundreds of times. No one dares tell you what you need to hear because of fear that it may jeopardize their career. Everyone wants to “play it safe” and position themselves near you.” Usually, this jockeying for position and political wrangling causes the leader to be out of touch with reality.

But, the intelligent and brilliant leaders know the dynamics. They have been burnt before. They have been used and betrayed, and this is why they trust NO ONE! It can put them in a lonely place. The smart leaders will visit the work places unannounced, do unexpected things in order to get to the core of the situation so that they can see its reality, then make better decisions. When they do, there would be endless negative slurs, gossips, and mumblings behind their back. It’s not that they do not know, they simply have mastered dealing with it. That can be lonely.

Many people do not know this for they only see the perks of leadership, but do not understand its price. One speaker even said, “If you’re lonely at the top, then there must be something wrong with you.” Well, it may be evident that the person who said this has never been there at the top of a huge business organization, and his theory promotes unrealistic platitudes to a realistic situation.

My advice? Cut your leaders some slack. The entire future and welfare of the organization weigh heavy on their shoulders. Rather than criticizing them behind their backs, why not try to know and understand where they are coming from? Support them. Do not build a career trying to outshine them. Be truthful and be helpful. Do not hoard information or add to it in order to advance your own interest. When you do, you may have just stumbled upon a gem of leadership wisdom, that you have the ability to lead and influence your boss and it is the right and truthful way to do.

(Attend two inspiring days of leadership training with Francis Kong in his highly acclaimed Level Up Leadership seminar-workshop Sept. 18-19 at Diamond Residences near Greenbelt 1. For registration or inquiries contact April at +63928-559-1798 or register online at www.levelupleadership.ph)