This month I am going to raise a topic that is often overlooked -- the loneliness of being at the top.

There have been several books published in recent years addressing this specific topic. I believe, however, that none have been able to describe the true feeling of loneliness that arises from being in the position of running a company or a country. It is challenging and difficult at the end of the day to go to sleep with the thought that your own decisions and deeds may affect the lives of many.

Over the weekend I had the opportunity to meet with one of Israel's former prime ministers. I described to him a meeting I had had in Qatar where Emir H.H Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani spoke to a group of leaders. The group included some Israelis, and the Emir was well aware of the effect this had on the mood and environment in which he found himself speaking. Being the brilliant speaker that he is, the Emir treated the whole audience equally and fairly. I was impressed because I knew that the pressure on the gentleman was quite strong and harsh. Now, the Emir is not a "lonely" person, neither is he ever physically alone, but he is in a position which could lend itself to loneliness during his decision process.

Leadership is about having the courage to make decisions, some of which may at times makes one unpopular and disliked. From my vast experience in several companies as a CEO, being a CEO presents the situation of seeing and dealing with challenges that no one else in the organization can truly experience unless they actually hold the position. Many people admire their leaders—political or CEOs. One must remember that there is always room for someone to move forward and up in an organization, unless you are the CEO. Once you become a CEO, life changes. The people surrounding you, regardless of their intellect and experience, look up to you. Their responsibility is limited and sectionalized, while you are in charge of everything. There is no one, aside from a board, to support you on your day-to-day decisions.

In my benchmarking tours around the world I have been fortunate enough to meet with many world leaders. In some cases I have asked them straightforward questions about hardships, challenges and stress. In other cases I have observed how they put on the front of the strong, confident and calm "problem solving” leader. I have tried to imagine the sense of loneliness that these people face in their every day lives, except for the solace of a partner. No wonder so many presidents and prime ministers are charged with the ridiculous accusation that their spouse is influencing their decisions (i.e. Nancy Reagan, Eva Perón, Sarah Netanyahu and Hillary Clinton).

In this era, when the global economy, the environment and the continual threat of nuclear weapons are becoming everyone's problems, a new decision making process enters the scene. Leaders of countries and CEOs alike share the need to communicate their loneliness to one another. One should notice how more and more meetings and forums for discussions are taking place worldwide. CEOs are meeting frequently with their peers and world leaders are joining together monthly for the sake of causes and crises. It may be the solution for many CEOs who, like myself, at the end of the day go to sleep troubled about whether or not they have made the right decisions. 

Yoram Yahav
CEO