When a CEO Walks In Tired, Not Triumphant
CEOs are not machines. They don’t leave their humanity at the office door. They deal with broken cars, sick kids, and rainy Mondays—just like everyone else.
Yesterday at 9:15 a.m., a CEO stepped into my office. He wasn’t the polished, confident figure from the annual report. Just… someone visibly tired. His car had broken down that morning. His youngest was sick—nothing serious, but enough to mess up the week’s logistics. A pile of personal admin tasks kept growing. And outside? Belgian weather! 😉
What we talked about
“Pierre, I know we’re here to talk strategy,” he said with a half-smile. “But honestly? Right now, I’m just trying to get through today.” We didn’t talk about strategy that morning. We talked about life.
Because here’s what we forget, too often:
• CEOs are not machines.
• They don’t leave their humanity at the office door.
• They deal with broken cars, sick kids, and rainy Mondays—just like everyone else.
The paradox of leadership
Leaders are expected to show up, decide, and inspire even when their personal “fuel tank” is nearly empty. I’ve witnessed countless executives balancing massive responsibilities while figuring out who will pick up the kids, worrying about aging parents, or simply wishing they could stay in bed a little longer.
They keep moving forward—not because they’re superhuman, but because they’ve mastered holding two truths simultaneously:
1. The business matters.
2. Life outside the boardroom matters just as much.
The takeaway for anyone leading a team
If you’re steering a company, a project, or a department while silently juggling a thousand personal demands, you’re not failing—you’re human. Recognizing that dual reality is perhaps the most valuable leadership lesson of all.
A note of respect
To every leader navigating this delicate balance: respect and bravo from me (and, I’m sure, from your team). Good luck with the year‑closing sprint—remember to give yourself the same compassion you extend to others.
