Your Loneliness Is Real: A Leadership Reality Check

This one’s personal and powerful. Bron opens up about the hidden loneliness that comes with leadership—especially for women. Whether you're a founder, a senior executive, or somewhere in between, this episode names what most won’t: the ache for connection, the hollowness that hides behind performance, and the simple but powerful tools to reclaim your leadership confidence through connection.

You’ll walk away with clear steps to:

Build your Personal Board of Advisors (and exactly how to ask someone to join it)

Practice high-impact coffee dates (and why 3 a week might be your leadership superpower)

Use micro-moments of connection in meetings that change the energy in the room

Name your needs and rewrite the loneliness story we’ve been conditioned to keep quiet

It’s time to stop pretending. You’re not alone—and leadership was never meant to be done solo.

Personal Board of Advisors: Build your own powerful circle to stretch and support you

The Art of the Coffee Date (shoutout to Tory Archbold)

Micro-connection practices for your team and stakeholder meetings

Language to name and normalise loneliness in your leadership world

Loneliness in Australia

More than half of Australians report feeling lonely weekly; one in three are classified as highly lonely
Medibank Loneliness Report

CEO and Executive Loneliness

55% of CEOs report serious mental health challenges including loneliness

70% of first-time CEOs say loneliness impacts performance
The Science of Coaching: CEO Loneliness

‍ Women in Leadership and Isolation

60% of senior women feel increasingly lonely as their careers progress

Only 19% of women of colour feel supported and respected at work
Fast Company: Women Leaders and Loneliness

Female Founders and Isolation

Two-thirds report high or extreme levels of loneliness

Most lack same-gender peers, investors, or role models
Positive Entrepreneurship: Female Founder Loneliness Report

Health Impacts of Loneliness

Loneliness is associated with increased risk of premature death, depression, and poorer general health outcomes

It is a key social determinant of health, according to national research
AIHW: Social Isolation and Loneliness

✨ Follow on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/bron-stephens
✨ Instagram: @transformandleadwithbron
☕ Book a coffee date

✔ Schedule one coffee date this week with no agenda
✔ Ask one peer: “Want to be on each other’s personal board?”
✔ Open your next team meeting with a gratitude check-in

Let’s create leadership that doesn’t just deliver results—but feels good to live.