It’s lonely at the top. But if you’re there, you already know that.
You can’t let on that you’re not 100 percent sure that the decision you are about to make is the right decision. Nor can you tell your team you’re just as uneasy as they are about a major transition your company is about to go through.
Nope. You must never let people see you sweat.
As a former executive, I know how it feels to put on a brave face when you’re feeling unsure of yourself. You may be feeling that your all alone in this. I can assure you that you’re not.
In an interview in the Washington Post, Apple CEO Tim Cook spoke candidly about the challenges of running one of the world’s most iconic companies. “It’s sort of a lonely job,” he admitted.
Surrounding yourself with people who truly have your back can be a game changer, which is why many executives work with coaches and consultants like me.
Here are the top five reasons executives use coaches and consultants.
1. For reassurance. CEOs, business owners, and executives engage coaches and consultants for reassurance. They think they know what they’re about to do is right. However, in their line of work, there is little room for error. They need to know what they might be risking by moving in a particular direction, so they can mitigate that risk.
2. They need a sounding board. Executives use coaches and consultants to have someone they can brainstorm with. Sometimes a client just needs a safe space where they can think out loud.
3. For innovative ideas. Clients may call in a consultant when they’re seeking innovative ideas. A well-respected consultant can share best practices from across a multitude of industries and can provide out-of-the box thinking.
4. Advice on critical topics like leadership. People aren’t born leaders; they’re developed. Just because you’ve made it to the executive suite, doesn’t mean you’ve got this whole leadership thing figured out. The best leaders are always investing in their own development.
5. Access to specialized skills they may not have in-house. People often utilize consulting services when they don’t have in-house expertise in a particular area. Having access to skills at the exact moment you need them is priceless.
The most effective leaders possess a pragmatic understanding of their strengths and weaknesses. They might have achieved a state in life where they’ve achieved success in the corporate world, found contentment in their personal lives, and achieved financial security. Nonetheless, they are fully aware that to maintain their leadership position, they must continue to evolve. Furthermore, they acknowledge that they cannot achieve this growth in isolation.
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