Written by: Vishal Saxsena, Executive Contributor
Executive Contributors at Brainz Magazine are handpicked and invited to contribute because of their knowledge and valuable insight within their area of expertise.
What is the picture we all get in mind when we think about a CEO? Everyone will have their version of the answers. One of the common answers will be an inspiring personality with leadership qualities, a visionary, a glamorous life and a successful person.
Isn’t it correct? Yes indeed. In reality: This is the face that covers unseen tears and emotional struggles which no one can see. Even the near and dear ones are blindfolded by the common answer. In this article of mine “Unseen Tears of C.E.O’s: The Deafening Silence,” I would like to shed light on the emotional state that a C.E.O goes through, despite what goes inside them, they are silent and they present themselves with confidence and grace.
Isolation and Loneliness: One of the most significant personal challenges that CEOs face is the feeling of isolation and loneliness. Being at the top of the company’s organizational chart they have to maintain their dominance even when they are struggling from the inside.
Their every move is monitored and calculated by others. For them to make friends is difficult as their every statement is considered a business discussion or an extended discussion of business when they are at home.
They may be surrounded by people and a few CEOs will be a centre of attraction at a party. Still, they will be lonely from the inside because they do not have anyone to talk to, a person who can make them feel comfortable from the inside.
For them relating to normal life becomes very difficult.
Emotional Issues: CEOs are responsible for the success of the company and the well-being of their employees. When things don't go as planned, they do not have anyone to guide them as they are expected to make the right decisions, at the right time and for the best interests of the company.
Their performance is always under scrutiny and any wrong step develops a feeling of guilt, shame, and inadequacy. The worst is they cannot discuss it with anyone, and they have to absorb this pain with a feeling that they have let everyone down.
Relationship Issues: With fast-growing technology, CEOs are expected to be working and available 24/7, resulting in the struggle to maintain healthy family relations. They are judged as anti-social as they are not available when their family and friends need them.
This may lead to misunderstandings and conflict within the family. Though it starts small it can magnify into divorce, separation, or problems with their children. A whispering silence breaks them internally.
Personal Tragedies: Being a family person, there are times when a CEO undergoes a traumatic event i.e. the loss of loved ones. This event can be emotionally tough and may require time off from work to recoup, which they do not have the luxury for. Even though they are internally traumatized and sad they cannot display their emotions.
Health Issues: While climbing the path of success, the CEOs are also absorbing many pain and traumas which they cannot display to anyone. These buried pains and traumas result in chronic illnesses, health disorders, or substance abuse problems.
Besides these issues, the CEOs also undergo Pressure to Perform, Stress, Anxiety, Tension, etc.. which adds to the overall emotional and mental struggles. Though being a CEO seems like a glamorous job the reality is they live a very isolated and lonely life. They depend on themselves to wipe their unshed/unseen tears to maintain a strong persona without revealing their internal state of mind.
For the leaders who guide the organizations,
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Vishal Saxsena, Executive Contributor Brainz Magazine
Vishal Saxsena an Author, Wellness & Transformation Coach. His journey in coaching started in the year 1997. While coaching individuals in groups or as individuals he noticed one common thing, i.e. Life Pattern of every individual keeps repeating and that keeps them stressed. He started to dig deeper into this issue and found that if the character of a child is designed in the conception & development stage these issues can be resolved & a child can become a better human being. This made him launch a unique program BELLY WITH A HEART where a pregnant lady can Design & Shape the character of her unborn child. He is the CEO & Founder of Design Your Destini & Academy of Spreading Happiness.
