Rise of Tribes

“Before the big event of her company, the leader closed her cabin door, cried her heart out”.

A Top MNC leader recently in her book, shared that in moments of overwhelm, she shut her cabin door, cried her heart out, then composed herself before stepping back into the spotlight.

Leadership isn’t easy. Vulnerability at work often carries a stigma—seen as weakness or “not fit to lead.” This forces leaders to swallow big emotions, sometimes at the cost of their own well‑being.

What’s missing? Safe spaces. Support circles. Lean‑in groups where leaders can share struggles without fear of judgment. Instead, workplaces remain battlefields—cut or get cut—leaving leaders to rise or fall alone. This stigma makes our leaders gulp the ‘big emotions’ sometimes at the cost of choking themselves up.

The Silent Struggles of Leaders
1. Preparing for a performance review they know won’t go well takes immense emotional prep.
2. Giving “constructive feedback” to a team member who refuses to accept any feedback is draining.
3. Delivering layoff news often paints leaders as heartless. Yet behind the scenes are sleepless nights, numerous failed attempts to protect jobs, and the pain of letting go of people they once groomed.
4. Shielding the team from friction resulting in being perceived as ‘taking away all credit’

You may see a tough leader delivering hard news. What you don’t see are the sleepless nights, the countless attempts to fix a bad decision, or the endless cups of coffee just to stay steady for that conversation. Even when they disagree, leaders show up, hold ground, and align—because that’s part of the deal. Behind the composed exterior lies resilience, sacrifice, and the weight of choices few ever witness.

Call To Action:
1. Acknowledge – It’s OK for leaders to be vulnerable. We don’t need superheroes, just approachable leaders who guide teams to success.
2. Empathize – Leaders aren’t monsters; they’re people doing their best with the resources they have.
3. Reach Out – Check in on your leaders. A simple “Are you okay?” matters – especially when they’re alone at the top.
4. Build Systems – Organizations must create support circles and frameworks that help leaders thrive, connect, and grow.

If you are one of the leaders trying to hold space or a decision maker trying to make leaders thrive, but are trying to figure out the ‘how’ – drop me a note, let us talk!