By Joe Ruff

In my first real job, I worked with children who had physical limitations, intellectual challenges or both. Even though classes were small and led by four dedicated teachers (not to mention intermittent help from occupational, physical and speech therapists), we were unable to meet all the children’s needs. Especially the need to be held, loved and talked to.

Within walking distance of the children’s center was a nursing home. Even today, I view the elderly as greatly neglected and underutilized by society. They often possess great knowledge and wisdom not to mention the need to hold, love and be heard.

I’m sure you already see where I am going. We took “our” children to the nursing home. It was a powerful experience; one that I still remember more than thirty years later. Watching so many needs being met was exciting and brought tears to my eyes. Perhaps because of that experience, I continue seeking ways that people can help one another meet their own and others’ needs.

Do leaders have needs?

RHR International, a consulting company specializing in management psychology, recently polled 83 heads of publicly traded companies. They reported two interesting statistics. One is that approximately half of the leaders admitted to feeling significant pressure to more quickly deliver better financial results. Fifty percent also stated that their jobs contribute to a sense of isolation.

Perhaps you have a similar reaction to mine. Which is, “Boy, if the people who are responsible for running the show, setting strategy, picking up the pace, delivering improved results, navigating change and leading through the constantly shifting economic environment – if these people are feeling isolated – they (and perhaps all of us) are in trouble. Successful solutions to these issues will require exactly the opposite of isolation.

I would like to propose that leaders attempt the following:

1. Do whatever it takes to connect with the people where you work. Make the extra effort (perhaps even over compensate) for the tendency to feel and even be secluded or isolated. As simple as it sounds, walk around and talk with your employees. Perhaps even ask what they are seeing and thinking about the business.
2. Overcome any thoughts you have that because you are in charge that you have to know everything. This is certainly not possible in today’s world (if it ever were).
3. Reach out to other leaders (within and outside your company). Form a support group. Harvard Business School professor Robert Kaplan says “It’s when you are isolated that you make poor decisions. If I’ve got nobody to talk to and am under a lot of pressure and I have to make a tough decision … I am probably more likely to make a poor one.”

You don’t have to do this alone. Look for those who can help you as well as individuals you can help. They may be the same people.

About Joe Ruff

 Executive Coach, MSBCoach

Joe Ruff is a teacher, coach and performance improvement specialist. Joe sincerely believes in and advocates for life-long learning. He has been employed by both academia and the business world and aside from the United States, has lived and worked in Korea, Japan, Saudi Arabia and Kuwait. Joe has a bachelor’s degree in Biomedical Communications from Rochester Institute of Technology and master’s degrees in Instructional Design and Linguistics from and Indiana University.

To demonstrate his commitment to life-long learning, at the age of 49, Joe returned to school and completed a master’s in Educational Administration from Harvard University. Joe was employed by Arthur Andersen and a clinical research organization. For the last five years, he has worked in the insurance industry where he coaches vice-presidents and managers. He has also coached faculty and students at several universities. Joe uses a variety of techniques he learned in graduate level psychology classes as well as business courses and certifications which include: Performance Management Basics, Human Performance Improvement and Essential Facilitation.