The Higher You Go, the Fewer People You Can Think Out Loud With

There is a paradox that comes with senior leadership. The higher you go, the more people depend on you. And, at the same time, the fewer people you can truly think out loud with. At the beginning of a career, this is rarely a problem. You have colleagues you can turn to. A manager who can challenge your thinking. Peers who are going through something similar. You can say: “I don’t know what to do.” “I’m worried about this.” “What am I missing?” “This doesn’t feel right.” You can explore an idea before it is fully formed. You can change your mind. You can admit that you are uncertain. As your responsibilities grow, something changes. People start looking to you for answers. Your team needs clarity. Your board needs confidence. Your investors need a plan. Your clients need reassurance. Your organization needs direction. And suddenly, saying “I don’t know” feels very different. Not because you are less capable. Quite the opposite. It is precisely because you are capable and because so much now depends on your judgment that the space to simply think out loud becomes harder to find.. This is your first post. Edit or delete it, then start writing!