Why It’s Lonely At The Top, And What To Do About It: An Interview With Richard Sheridan, Co-Founder, Menlo Innovations

Back in December, I had the great privilege of capturing Rich’s
simple system for building a life, company, and career that
spreads joy across the globe. For more on that interview, click
here.


This time around I wanted to get Rich’s perspective on why it’s
lonely at the top, and some strategies for increasing connection
and joy from the top. Without realizing it, I tapped right into
one of his greatest struggles as an executive within a large
company, before co-founding Menlo Innovations.


Throughout this interview, Rich shares exactly what he continues
to do every day to ensure he eliminates loneliness and has a real
feeling on joy in his work.


Here are the links to the books both Rich and I talk about during
the interview:


The Highest Goal


The 5th Discipline


Peter Drucker’s Books


Mega Trends


The Untethered Soul


The Surrender Experiment


Bury My Heart


Rich’s cure to loneliness at the top:
Build meaningful relationships. A key question to ask during
any meeting that fosters depth in relationships: “Tell me your life
story.” Invest in yourself. (i.e. get and devour books like the
ones listed above). Ask yourself, “Why did I get into this line of
work in the first place? And, how do I get back to that?”

Just before we completed the interview, Rich said something that
inspired me greatly, and while I did not write down his exact
words, it went something like this…The further you get from the
truth of who you are, the more isolated and lonely you’ll be—the
closer you are to that same truth, the more joy you’ll
experience.


How often are you to doing the work you care deeply about? How
close are you to aligning your work with the core of who you are?


To learn more about Rich, and Menlo Innovations, click here.


I hope that one day all leaders adopt your philosophy, Rich—Thank
you for sharing the gift of you!


Here’s to Your Greatness,
Misti Burmeister