Nobody warns you how lonely the top job gets
In this short monologue, Greg Stevenson reflects on the increasing isolation that comes with senior leadership. He notes that early in a career, peers share similar burdens and honest dialogue, but once a person attains the top position, those peer relationships fade and the door closes. Leaders feel compelled to hide doubt and fear from their teams and families, carrying the weight alone. Stevenson argues that while this solitude is often accepted as "just the job," it need not be endured in isolation. He observes that the most effective leaders all maintain at least one trusted relationship where they can remove their professional mask and be vulnerable. The piece ends with a rhetorical question prompting listeners to consider who they confide in.
