What’s it like at the top these days?

There you are, right at the top, leading a company. You’ve made it.

May I ask: What’s it like for you?

I used to have a handle on that, working as I do with executives, but things have changed so much in the last 36 months that I’m no longer sure.

So, I’d like to ask you eight questions about what influences you, what shapes your mood, and how you are in yourself when you show up to work every day.

These things interest me because how you are every day shapes how those around you are every day, and they in turn shape the rest of the organisation, and its results.

You’re the leader, you set the tone, and that cascades down to the bottom line and your bonus.

So, here’s what I’d like to know at the start of what is forecast to be a difficult year:

1. On a scale of zero to 10, how stressed are you on your bad days? (Give a number first, then why.)
2. What’s your biggest fear?
3. Who’s got your back?
4. What’s your go-to coping strategy?
5. Who are you when you are at your best?
6. How hard do you have to work to show up as your best every day?
7. How is your time split among work, family, and self? What would be the ideal balance for you?
8. What are you looking forward to?

Some of you reading this will know me. We may have talked about working together this year.

Maybe you could pick three questions for me to ask you when we meet.

Which questions interest you most? Let me know and I’ll ask you.