Your Loneliness Is Real

Episode Title:

Your Loneliness Is Real: A Leadership Reality Check

Episode Summary:

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.

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️ Tools Mentioned:

• 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

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Resources & References:

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

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Connect with Bron

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

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Call to Action

✔ 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 del