Leaders Loneliness: How To Build An Emotional Support Network
Who do you turn to when you need to share what’s really going on?
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When Was the Last Time You Truly Let It Out?
Not just venting about work or daily chaos, but truly expressing what’s weighing on your heart, your biggest doubts on your business and life choice (i.e. pivoting the company, closing the company, changing the team, separating with the co-founder(s)…), usually the thoughts that keep haunting you at night…
Who do you turn to when you need to share what’s really going on?
A friend, a romantic partner, a colleague?
For years, as I built my teams and studios, I confided in my friends and romantic partner about my doubts, frustrations, and dreams in the gaming industry. At first, it worked. But eventually, it became a burden—both for them and for me.
That’s when I realized I needed a neutral space to express myself without shame and judgement—to speak and examine my truth.
There is a limit to how much we can expect our closest people can carry for us, and at some point, we need to take responsibility.
The Power of Talking And Coaching
There’s something liberating about talking to someone without fear of overburdening them. Sometimes, the truth is ugly, but it’s yours—and it needs to be spoken.
My turning point came through coaching and therapy.
In 2022, while growing my hybrid casual studio at Voodoo and after 14 intense years of career in games, I finally admitted something I had long feared: Maybe my heart isn’t in building mobile games anymore.
I had avoided facing it because once spoken, it would become real. And if it was real, I would have to act.
Surprisingly, saying it aloud felt like shedding a heavy coat I hadn’t even realized I was wearing. The burden lifted, and a new path emerged.
That realization didn’t lead to immediate action, but it became my North Star. Over the next few years, I transitioned from game development to building Rise and Play, leadership coaching, and retreats business—focusing on what I love most: collaborating with extraordinary people and creators ✨.
It was never about building my own games for me, and I felt relieved to finally get clarity on it.
From thought to action, this shift took years. That’s how I now guide the founders and leaders I coach—to examine their truths without fear and realign their work with their deeper purpose.
The Cost of Inner Silence
I care of bringing more awareness to the cost of not expressing what’s going on inside for leaders, because it will consume you little by little.
What happens when we keep our deepest truths locked inside?
Unconscious behavior. Inconsistent actions. Stress that manifests physically. I call it soul cancer—when we live out of alignment with our true selves, it creates internal conflict.
Founders who feel trapped in companies they no longer love. Teams that clash due to misalignment. Employees stuck in jobs that don’t resonate with them. Sounds familiar?
The cost of silence is immense—it affects our health, relationships, and path for a business to thrive.
Living in denial doesn’t just keep us stuck; it impacts everyone around us.
Why We Hesitate to Get Help
If talking is so healing, why don’t we do it more?
There’s still a stigma around founders seeking support. Many believe they should be “strong” enough to figure it all out alone. I often see founders keeping that position before trouble begins, then again years later—on the brink of burnout.
Therapy and coaching should be seen as preventive care—like health insurance. You work on it before a crisis happens.
Another blocker? Cost. Many founders and leaders see coaching as an expense rather than an investment. But consider this:
What is the cost of hiring the wrong director or co-founder?
What is the cost of green-lighting the wrong project?
What is the cost of inaction when holding onto an underperforming game, or retaining people with toxic behaviors?
What is the cost of working on the wrong company/life direction?
Having worked with over 100 founders and leaders, I’ve seen these mistakes cost anywhere from $100,000 to $3 million annually.
A $5K–$50K yearly investment in coaching and therapy to avoid such costly errors seems suddenly like a no-brainer. It is leadership hygiene.
Human vs AI Listening?
Last year, I experimented with AI coaching through Olivya (read the learnings here). While AI offers valuable timely support, it’s not the same depth as speaking to someone who genuinely cares.
Real Human connection is irreplaceable.
That’s why I created spaces (Circles, Retreats and Mastermind) for leaders to connect, share challenges, and support each other, bringing a deep level of meaning and transformation.
These moments of reflection and interaction can’t be fully replicated by AI—nor should they be.
As you read this, I encourage you: Talk daily. Release what’s on your mind.
Unspoken burdens don’t just disappear—they accumulate, affecting your body, relationships, and future teams.
Here’s where to start:
✔ Talk to a therapist
✔ Talk to a coach
✔ Join a group circle ⭕️
✔ Attend a retreat (if you want to accelerate your path to clarity and action)
✔ Talk to an AI (quick fix 🤖)
Each option offers different benefits, but the key is to start. The hardest part isn’t talking—it is committing to it.