A co-pilot when you need one

Leadership is lonely and difficult. There are so many decisions to take on a daily basis, both big and small, and all demanding attention. For those who are parents: leadership is like another child, or even triplets. Perhaps ill-advisedly, unlike ideal parenting, we do this job alone, with one set of default approaches, often with no sounding board, no confidante, no alternative ideas, no time to step back, recharge, refocus, no space for thinking, no time for questioning.

The CEO is supposed to be empathetic yet delivery focussed; a visionary but also deeply practical; an inspirational communicator but also capable of spending hours deep in the numbers. The job is impossible. Yet almost all your reports think they could do it better, and then there is your Board, your funders, your main stakeholders, their lists of demands grow ever longer. They tell you to focus and then they give you twice the things to focus on.

No wonder 1/3 of chief executives are on Prozac. So why do we do it? Because we want the blue sky above us, a place to fulfil our sense of purpose; because when it goes well , we feel free, rewarded, respected and profoundly satisfied. 

I have been the boss since I was 42, and I would never go back. But we need to learn quickly and prioritise. We need to sort the money; and get the offer, positioning and strategy clear.  We need to build strong teams, relentlessly nurture them, empower them to deliver. We need to build the brand, reputation, expand, make connections, create partnerships, manage relationships, improve the sophistication of the operations, measure performance, invest wisely but boldly, know the market and the competition, and innovate, innovate, innovate. At the same time, we need to stay sane and excited, manage a life balance, know when to delegate, when to evolve, or even, when to leave.

Do not expect to do all this alone. Be wise enough to ask for help, on your terms, you are the boss. 

I can help. I have done all of this. I did it with help. And now I want to help you.