Many leaders have a deep fear of failure. According to the book True North, all leaders are prone to losing their way and face significant hazards on their journeys. As with most people, leaders desire rewards and acceptance from others, and most want to avoid negative consequences. Authentic leaders must learn to be aware of and overcome personal impulses that lead to problematic behaviors.

Why leaders lose their way, discussing five “perils” on the leadership journey: being an imposter, rationalizing, glory-seeking, playing the loner, and being a shooting star. Choose one of these five issues you most identify with, or that you see as potentially being a challenge for you.

Answer the following series of questions as it relates to the topic you are choosing to reflect on.

The Loner - “I have to make it on my own”

• Describe a situation when you retreated into yourself rather than accessing the resources around you for counsel and advice. What did you feel at the time? How did you deal with the feelings of isolation and stress? What would you do differently now in order not to be so isolated if you found yourself confronted by a similar situation?