The loneliness experienced by CEOs does not stem from a lack of social connections but from the heavy burden of leadership and decision-making — especially during crises. They often look to their board, senior executives, or operational managers for support but may feel they are not up to the task or face conflicting opinions. Research, based on a survey of 109 CEOs of major Canadian organizations and in-depth qualitative interviews with 46 of them, identifies six strategies that leaders can use to alleviate this loneliness.
It’s lonely at the top. Heavy is the head that wears the crown. The higher you go, the lonelier it gets. These common sayings reflect the perception that being a CEO is a lonely position. However, does this perception match reality?
