Leaders must continually learn, and leaders who are isolated greatly limit their learning, thus greatly limiting their effectiveness. Isolated leaders are divorced from the reality of their context, so they lead in ways that are out of sync with reality. Leaders are responsible for the people they lead, are responsible to serve and love them well. But an isolated leader can’t love and lead well, thus the people won’t receive the care they need

An isolated leader is a dangerous leader. The sting of criticism, the burden of the responsibilities, and the pace of leadership can nudge a leader towards isolation, but every step towards isolation is a step towards danger. Sadly, many leaders move towards isolation. They have taken the cliché “it’s lonely at the top” as justification to remove themselves from people. Though there is truth in the cliché, it must not be used to practice unwise and ungodly leadership. Here are six reasons isolated leaders are dangerous.

1. Isolated leaders don’t receive care and encouragement.

Leading is continually challenging, and leaders who don’t receive care and encouragement are in a dangerous position. But isolation makes it impossible to receive care from others.

2. Isolated leaders don’t receive necessary confrontation.
3. Isolated leaders make foolish decisions.
4. Isolated leaders don’t learn effectively.
5. Isolated leaders are divorced from reality.
6. Isolated leaders are removed from the people they lead.

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