I have been in business since 1984 when I started my first company, since that time I have been the managing director of my own company and also served on the board of directors of numerous other companies. I feel I am in a unique position to be able to understand the stresses and strains that business and executive positions can create.
When in a position of responsibility it is often difficult to show sign of any weakness after all if the MD or CEO cannot cope, what kind of message does this send to the employees, you in that position are suppose to be leading and the shareholders and investors who have their money invested in you as well as the company are looking to you to make everything work. This is often a great burden and creates great stress, some would argue that this is made up by the financial gains that senior company management receive, but those of us who have been in that position know otherwise, it is the directors who have the furthest to fall when things go wrong.
Stress can sometimes be a good thing, it can drive you on to perform to the best of your ability but this can sometimes evolve into extreme pressure to succeed. We have all been there, you are working towards a challenging goal and then suddenly something happens out of the blue and it may not even be associated with work, then the things that excited and drove you on, are now like a millstone around your neck and you wish you had never started on them in the first place.
Because of your position in the company and your outward appearance of being the boss, the leader, it would be very difficult to admit you are not coping well with things and you may even feel you are letting yourself down. I understand exactly what this can do to a person because at times in the past I have been that person. Over the years I developed ways of dealing with these situations and was able to make them a whole lot more bearable.
