the top of the ladder
Thank you for the many encouraging comments about my updated look. I have to say, freshening things up feels kind of good. Speaking of which, this past weekend I helped a friend paint some rooms in their house, and as I climbed the ladder to edge the ceiling I was struck by a familiar sticker near the top:
While any of us who have ever climbed a ladder knows it’s unwise – and potentially life-threatening – to stand on the top step, we often miss this same principle in the business part of our lives.
It’s not just lonely at the top; it’s dangerous…
Just like with the physical ladder, the top position in most any field is by its very nature lacking in support for two primary reasons:
it isn’t asked for
it isn’t offered
Unfortunately, there is often a perception that people at the top have everything figured out…
This can lead the person in the high position to hide their weaknesses or needs out of fear of disappointing others, which leads to isolation and an unhealthy pressure to perform at ever-increasing levels.
On the other side of the coin, many people feel intimidated, jealous, or insecure around people who achieve certain heights, even those they consider to be friends. This can inhibit them from reaching out the way they might with someone on their own “level.”
As my friend John Lynch so profoundly says, “Without needs we can’t know love.”
We also can’t give love if we’re not willing to ask what those needs are.
So if you’re feeling lonely at the “top” of whatever you’re doing, reach out and let someone know. Remember that true leadership is built on a foundation of humility, not pride.
And if you know someone who seems to be achieving their dreams, don’t let your fears get in the way of being a true friend and asking what they need. You just might be surprised by their answer.
For TRUTH…
- Constance
