As CEO, everyone brings you the hardest problems—the most complicated ones with the least information. You take on that responsibility, and it can become an identity: the person who handles everything for everyone.
“As a CEO sometimes everybody wants you to take care of them… and they come to you with the hardest problems, the most complicated problems, the ones that have the least amount of information to solve, and we take on that responsibility.”
This pattern is especially seductive for leaders who already struggle with independence-as-armor or people-pleasing. The role of CEO gives you permission to never stop working, never show weakness, and always be the strong one. It’s caretaking disguised as duty.
The sustainable alternative isn’t doing less—it’s being willing to be seen as human while you lead.
Related Concepts
- Owning your needs isn’t selfish
- Holding space requires staying in yourself
- Codependence comes from not owning wants