Hi Reader,

Last month, G sat across from me in a meeting room, overlooking the City.

“Everyone’s looking to me - the board wants growth plans, my team needs direction, investors demand results."

"And here’s what terrifies me… I’m not sure I have the answers anymore.”

His voice dropped.

“And I can’t tell anyone that.”

61% of senior leaders report feeling profoundly alone in their role.

It’s the leadership paradox nobody talks about:

• more responsibility → fewer people to confide in
• bigger decisions → smaller circle who understand
• greater success → deeper isolation

After 12 years coaching leaders through transitions, here’s what separates those who thrive from those who merely survive:

It’s not about having all the answers.

It’s about having the right people to pressure-test your thinking.

Take a moment and look at your support system:

✨ who do you call before making decisions that affect hundreds?

✨ where do you test your strategic thinking without judgment?

✨ who truly gets the weight of your choices?

If you’re drawing a blank, you’re in good company.

Most leaders wait until crisis hits before building these connections.

I've been thinking a lot about this lately.

The truth is, those hard conversations about your leadership? They're happening after you leave the room.

Your blindspots are growing larger while your impact gets smaller - all because no one dares to tell you the truth.

​[👉 See why this matters more than ever] 👀​

This week’s leadership edge.

Choose one decision you’re wrestling with.

Something you haven’t shared with anyone. Write down what it’s really costing you to handle it alone.

Then hit reply and tell me: what’s stopping you from reaching out?

Your wing woman,

Catherine

p.s. Next week, I’m sharing the story of how I learned this lesson the hard way. It involves the 2008 crash, three unexpected phone calls, and a complete reinvention of how I show up as a leader.