The Loneliness CEOs Don’t Talk About

One day, you were the underdog.

Working long hours.

Saying yes to weekends.

Doing more than expected.

Slowly but surely, people noticed your potential... they saw you were serious about making it to the top.

And now, years later, you’re there.

You went from being the one people worked alongside to being the one people report to.

You wear the cape.

You save the day.

You put out fires.

You provide for your family.

You’re always on.

But here’s what most people don’t see about the underdog who made it to the top:

It can create a sense of it all being.... Unstable.

It’s lonely at the top because you’re no longer relatable.

You’re immensely visible, and yet, somehow invisible.

You keep your guard up, because what if you let go... and everything falls apart without you?

Yes, you take vacations.

You unplug, at least on the surface.

But there’s always a part of you holding it all together.

Always on alert.

You can’t even imagine slowing down... let alone retiring.

Those words don’t exist in your vocabulary.

So what’s a hero to do, when no one understands the weight of the life you’ve built?

You don’t complain.

You don’t vent.

That’s not your style.

You’re self-made.

You’re a provider.

But here’s the question: who shows up for you?

Who mirrors back the support, clarity, and stability you so freely pour into others?

It may surprise you to know how little research exists on the loneliness CEOs face.

According to a 2024 Harvard Business Review survey, 55% of CEOs report experiencing moderate to significant loneliness.

How can you be lonely, when you’re surrounded by people all the time?

Because loneliness isn’t about proximity.

It’s about whether you feel truly seen and understood.

And when you’re the one responsible, for your family, your team, your company, your investors, your projects, that responsibility can feel isolating.

The truth is, loneliness impacts everything.

Your leadership.

Your relationships.

Your bottom line.

Here’s the key takeaway:

Loneliness isn’t just a negative feeling… it impacts decision-making, relationships, and the company’s growth.

Addressing it isn’t optional if you want to lead at the highest level.

The question is: do you have a strategy for it?