Sadness: Battling Leadership's Dark Secret

Overview
Sadness is described as the hidden emotional weight that many leaders carry, often unnoticed and unspoken. The author shares historical examples such as Abraham Lincoln and Winston Churchill to show that even great leaders experience moments of darkness, and then provides ten actionable strategies to help leaders acknowledge and manage their sadness.

Key Takeaways

• Recognize that feeling sad is a normal part of leadership, not a sign of weakness.
• Identify the triggers that cause emotional heaviness in your role.
• Practice self-compassion and allow yourself time to process emotions.
• Seek support from trusted peers, mentors, or professional help.
• Set clear boundaries to protect your mental energy.
• Use physical activity or mindfulness techniques to reset your mood.
• Reframe setbacks as learning opportunities rather than personal failures.
• Keep a journal to track patterns and progress.
• Celebrate small victories to build emotional resilience.
• Continuously revisit and adjust your coping strategies.

Who Would Benefit

• Technical leaders and engineering managers.
• Team leads and project managers.
• Anyone in a leadership position who wants to improve emotional intelligence.

Frameworks and Methodologies

• None