The unknown evil of CEOs: loneliness at the top

Ecris par
Louis-Marie GUILLAUME
Publié le
13/5/2025

We often talk about pressure, difficult decisions, and the resilience expected from the CEO. But one subject remains largely taboo: Loneliness. And yet, it is one of the heaviest burdens to bear.

Being a leader: between admiration and isolation

From the outside, a leader inspires confidence, embodies stability, makes decisions and reassures teams.

  • Investors expect clear and firm answers.
  • Employees are looking for listening, support and vision.
  • The family, on the other hand, deserves to be protected from professional tensions.

But in this position of pillar, who can you talk to without fear of worrying, weakening your image or sowing doubt? Behind the posture of the leader is often a heavy silence, an absence of space to express doubts or fatigue.

Asking for Help: A Taboo to Be Broken

Many CEOs share this erroneous belief: Asking for Help Would Be an Admission of Weakness. On the contrary, it is often a sign of lucidity and maturity.
The strongest are not those who isolate themselves, but those who know how to surround themselves:

  • Of a Circle of Trust To challenge ideas without judgment.
  • Of Peers To share lived experiences at an equivalent level.
  • Of mentors gold Coaches To take a strategic and emotional step back.

3 Concrete Tips to Not Be Left Alone

1. Create a peer circle

Joining a group of leaders (club, mastermind, professional network) allows you to get out of isolation and confront your ideas in a caring and confidential environment.

2. Allow yourself vulnerability

Sharing doubts with trustworthy people does not make you lose credibility. This humanizes leadership and reinforces team engagement.

3. Be accompanied

Professional coach, psychologist, mentor... being listened to by a neutral third party allows you to regain clarity, energy, and make better decisions.

Conclusion: A CEO does not have to carry the weight of the world alone

The strength of a leader is not measured by his ability to endure everything alone, but by his ability to Trusting the Right People At the right time.
Loneliness should no longer be the norm. There are solutions, spaces for speech, resources. You still have to agree to enter them.

Do you want to talk to peers?

Because every leader deserves to be surrounded, a space for exchange can change everything. Let's talk about it.

Louis-Marie GUILLAUME

Louis-Marie GUILLAUME

“Have a purpose, trace your life” LAO TSEU

Table of contents

Change Management

The unknown evil of CEOs: loneliness at the top

Publié le
15/5/2025
Louis-Marie GUILLAUME

Louis-Marie GUILLAUME

“Have a purpose, trace your life” LAO TSEU

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