Recent scholarly investigations have focused on the subjects of leadership and loneliness. Assuming a leadership role, whether in a professional or personal context, might result in experiencing isolation and loneliness as a consequence of the burden of duty. While individuals not in a leadership position may not readily recognize these phenomena, it is a surprisingly common experience for many leaders to feel lonely on a daily basis.

According to a Harvard Business Review article, more than 50% of CEOs experience sensations of loneliness, and a significant 61 percent believe that this negatively impacts their work. Leader isolation poses a significant issue. This phenomenon is especially applicable to newly appointed leaders and those selected from a group of peers to assume a formal leadership role.

Several studies have demonstrated that the experience of loneliness can have a detrimental effect on the performance of a leader, resulting in diminished motivation, reduced job satisfaction, and reduced productivity. Effective leaders must possess awareness of this phenomenon and establish robust relationships both within and beyond the workplace in order to mitigate these consequences. It is crucial to allocate time towards establishing relationships with peers and actively seeking out mentors in order to prevent falling into the cycle of loneliness.

Loneliness was experienced by the Savior.

It has always been such. The cost of leadership is isolation. Conscientiousness comes at the cost of solitude. Adhering to principle incurs the drawback of solitude. I believe it is inevitable. The Redeemer of the world was a human being who existed in isolated solitude. His statement: “The foxes have holes, and the birds of the air have nests; but the Son of man hath not where to lay his head” (Matthew 8:20) is the epitome of loneliness, encapsulated in immense tragedy.

An unparalleled image in history is that of the Savior supine on the cross, the sole Redeemer of humanity, the Redeemer of the world, accomplishing the Atonement, the Son of God enduring the sins of humanity. While contemplating this matter, I am reminded of a comment articulated by Channing Pollock: “Judas, with his thirty pieces of silver, was a failure.” The crucifixion of Christ was the epitome of temporal and eternal significance.

An Aspiration and Invocation for All Leaders

May God grant you the courage to walk without fear, even in solitude, and to see within your hearts the tranquillity that arises from aligning one’s life with principles, the “peace of God, which passed all understanding” (Philippians 4:7), which I humbly beseech as I leave with you my testimony and evidence of the divine nature of this sacred endeavour. Furthermore, as a servant of the Lord, I bestow upon you every happiness as you progress in your lives towards abundant and remarkably productive experiences, in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.