The RLC Group - Data and Insights For Success: executive suicide

STRESS EATS AWAY EXECS...

Executives have it hard because of their frantic schedules, constant travel, crucial deadlines, and extensive scrutiny on the rise and fall of the company of which they are responsible. But they have even more stress because they find themselves alone with no one to talk to about their family woes, work issues or potential company problems like massive layoffs, looming sales, and the idea of failing a group of employees if the company does not survive. Work-life balance and confidantes are key to their longevity.

Zurich Insurance Group's Chief Financial Officer Pierre Wauthier was found dead at his home from an apparent suicide. Two weeks prior the Chief Executive of Swisscom, Carsten Schloter, committed suicide after facing pressure from leading a 1.3 billion EURO writedown after a poor acquisition choice. While the company was under investigation, Schloter in prior interviews confessed in previous interviews that it was "difficult to unwind" and that he had failed relationships with his three children in Germany after his marriage dissolved.

Stress is real and kills, if not over a time period or self-induced. Executives need a work-life balance that involves downtime of which they do not have to discuss the woes of leading a company. This includes exercise or recreational activities with friends and family, where there are no expectations except for them to be themselves. There needs to be a set time in the schedule that includes some form of movement and pressure for cardio burn and body agility. Even better a fun day at the beach or golf course can ease the stress as well.

Genuine friends and people interested in their well-being are hard to come by. There will be people around because they are at the top and will leave the minute they seem close to hitting rock bottom. A simple conversation in the hallway to just ask about non work-related matters can relieve a minute of pressure from pretending that everything is okay. Of course, executives must remain guarded but there must be discernment regarding the true camaraderie they need to just simply vent.

Workplace stress, long hours, and unfriendly work environments combined with tumultuous business partners, picky customers, and unmanageable deliverables can cause a perception there is no need for downtime. However the suicides of late tell something entirely different - relax a little now so the stress doesn't hit hard later.

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