It Doesn’t Have to be Lonely at the Top ♥️

Are you feeling lonely at the top? Do you feel like you have to have all the answers? 

It’s an easy trap to fall into especially those leading organizations. 

Have you seen the job description for an executive director recently? 😳

This person will oversee human resources, development, programs, operations, board management - the list is so extensive that it made my head spin when I first became one.

These job descriptions set us up for failure since they set an unrealistic expectation of what’s within our expertise and our capacity.

And this can lead to feelings of imposter syndrome and isolation.

When we experience imposter syndrome, there’s a tendency to go it alone and not ask for help. To feel like we have it all together - “I got this.” 

This was a phrase I used often when I first assumed a leadership role - “I got this.” I tended not to ask for help.

Whatever was thrown my way, I took great pride in taking on the challenges. 

You want me to stuff 300 year-end appeals by myself, no problem.

Oh, you want me to conduct the immigration 101 training this afternoon and write the grant due tomorrow? No worries, I can do that.

I prided myself that I was dependable and competent but yet the end result was in my exhaustion and feelings of overwhelm and resentment.

This wasn’t a sustainable way of being.

Then, I reached a moment where I had to make a decision - quit the sector or ask for help.

I still felt committed to the difference-making space so I opted to ask for help.

Where do you find yourself on this spectrum - one who can easily delegate and gather the needed support OR one who’s too busy putting out daily fires and wondering what the heck free time is?

My invitation to you is to reflect on where you can ask for help, be it asking a neighbor to do carpool for your kids this week, hiring a monthly cleaning service, or delegating the grant report to a team member.

Hope this serves.

​Until next time, as always, be gentle & kind to yourself. 

Shalini