From Fastcompany · · 1m 40s
The worst advice we give new CEOs
Isolation is not the price of leadership. The best CEOs build circles of support instead of going it alone.
In brief
Isolation is not the price of leadership. The best CEOs build circles of support instead of going it alone. New CEOs are often told leadership means isolation, but the author argues the best leaders build support networks rather than working alone. Originally reported by Fastcompany.
Congratulations and condolences
When Katy Hornaday became CEO of BarkleyOKRP in May 2025, a peer sent her this message, capturing how many view the promotion as both achievement and burden.
“Congratulations and condolences.”
The boat metaphor
Many regard becoming CEO as like buying a boat: enjoy the first day, then expect rough waters ahead. The job promises bigger decisions, harder calls, and problems aplenty.
An island of one
New CEOs are told their office becomes an island, miles from help. They are now a team of one, isolated at the top with no one to turn to.
It's lonely at the top
Tim Cook of Apple called being CEO a lonely job. Airbnb's Brian Chesky described leadership as climbing a mountain where the higher you get, the fewer people there are with you.
“the higher you get to the peak, the fewer people there are with you.”
Isolation as success
The conventional wisdom suggests isolation is the sign of a job well done. Those who cannot do it all themselves, the thinking goes, should not be doing it at all.
The author's challenge
Hornaday has learned that isolation does not have to come with the job. She argues this conventional advice is wrong and that the best leaders do not go it alone.
Building circles of support
Instead of accepting isolation, the best leaders build circles of people they can turn to for support. This network becomes essential to navigating the demands of the role.
The short version
New CEOs are often told leadership means isolation, but the author argues the best leaders build support networks rather than working alone.
