Thanks for the great post Monica.  I was in a conversation with a mentor this morning and this topic came up.  I agree with you that much of the isolation of leadership is self-imposed.  Many times leaders fail to include others and respect others and their own actions lead to isolation and loneliness.

But for many leaders, don't you also agree there are lines across which only the leader can go.  In other words, when the decisions are the most difficult, with the greatest consequences, leaders must do the hard things necessary for the vision and the organization.  I wonder if the greater the consequences, the greater the potential isolation.  Isn't there a point where leaders must accept responsibility and accountability or cease to be the leader?