Every leader knows the phrase, “It’s lonely at the top.” It’s true that leaders often experience loneliness. Many times, they are the only one who knows everything about every person and situation in the company.
When a leader has no one to share their personal troubles or triumphs with, it can drain their energy and lead them to make poor decisions. They have no one to expand their thinking, share their ideas with, or give insights and inspiration to.
No leader should ever find themselves alone in their struggles and decisions. Leadership is about having a team of people to provide help and support through the difficult moments of the hour. Every No. 1 leader needs a No. 2 behind them.
Although leaders internally know that they should lead with others, it can seem like a frustrating and undesirable task. It often seems so much easier to lead alone than to invest time in trying to build a team around you. But part of great leadership is influencing and engaging with others as you seek to build your organization.
Leaders who develop the next generation of leaders in their company find several considerable benefits of doing so.
A key benefit of a leadership partnership is the deeper friendship that is likely to evolve between the two. Many authors believe that leaders should not be friends with their employees. However, better leadership occurs when a leader is a friend and not just a manager. Leaders grow in their impact when they move from leading employees to leading friends.
Befriend your team. Managing a business is challenging work. Sometimes you need a friend to listen to your thoughts, ideas and dreams. Leaders who find an up-and-coming, next-generation leader will be able to share the vicissitudes of running a business or a department. Every leader benefits from a trusted friend.
Another powerful benefit of having a second in command is that they can take the reins when needed. By nature, most leaders have a deep drive to create a better company but are often frustrated by a lack of time, people or resources to help make their plans a reality. Find responsible people who will help you think intentionally about the next steps you are taking. When leaders have people they trust to make decisions and lead well, it enables the top leader to spend their time working on the business and not just in the business.
There’s also the benefit of receiving inspiration and encouragement from a second-chair leader. Leaders often invest time and energy in encouraging their team, yet often find that they have no one to encourage them. You’re better able to stay positive when you have people around you who lift you up. Everyone needs encouragement. When a leader has someone who walks with them at a high level, that person can help the leader keep going.
Lastly, when leaders have a profound relationship with a key person on their leadership team, accountability deepens. Even top leaders need someone to hold them accountable. CEOs have a temptation to become isolated in their position. When no one holds the leader accountable, the leader can be tempted to make decisions that might hurt the organization or be tempted to make no decisions at all. Leaders lead better when they have people on their team who are willing to challenge them and always speak the truth.
When a No. 1 leader has a No. 2 leader, better work is accomplished.