Every once in a while, a friend or someone I know will ask me about the challenges of running your own company and how I deal with things. To most people, the idea of running your own company, being your own boss and answering to "no one" is a lovely fantasy free of the stresses of working as an employee.
They ask me: "What's the most difficult thing about being the boss?" Truth is, it's all difficult. There is no rest for the weary. When you run the ship, it's a 24/7/365 job. There is no break. There is no vacation. There is no escape. It's all encompassing and all consuming.
But a recent turn of events has brought the real challenge of being the boss to the forefront of my mind. And that is: maintaining calm in the midst of a storm.
Regardless of what's happening in your personal life, your home life or the world outside, regardless of the personal challenges you may be facing at any given time, everyone around you, staff and guests, needs to know that you are in charge and that you have a plan.
It means that you must remain focused and calm. Steady and assured. Even when things are going completely pear-shaped. You may not have a clue what is going on. Your whole world may be in shambles, but you can never let on. No one wants to see the Leader falling apart. It's the ultimate Fake It till You Make It.
And it's one of the few times when you actually question if all of this was worth the sacrifice.
