# Leadership Doesn’t Have To Be Lonely with Kate Van Waes | Ep. 22 | Growthwell with Josh Byrd

By Josh Byrd · Published 2025-01-16 · Updated 2026-06-08 · Professional AV on MarketScale
Canonical: https://www.marketscale.com/industries/pro-av/combating-loneliness-leadership-kate-van-waes-growthwell
Creator hub: Growthwell

> Three in ten executives battle isolation, yet practical strategies exist to build meaningful connections and sustain leadership wellbeing

## Key points

- Executives often experience loneliness in leadership roles.
- Balancing personal well-being with professional responsibilities is crucial.
- Purposeful decision-making and avoiding misaligned opportunities enhance personal and career growth.

Block Field

As the modern workplace evolves, the challenges of leadership remain as intense as ever—especially for those at the helm. According to research by Deloitte, as many as [30% of executives feel isolated](https://www.forbes.com/councils/forbesbusinesscouncil/2024/02/28/you-are-not-alone-in-the-journey-the-isolation-of-millions-of-ceos-facing-growth-pains/#:~:text=Data%20backs%20up%20the%20popular,through%20an%20explosive%20growth%20phase.) in their roles. At a time when [balancing personal well-being with professional responsibility](https://marketscale.com/industries/business-services/thriving-with-intent-with-lauren-weggeman-ep-15-growthwell-with-josh-byrd/) is critical, how can leaders thrive without succumbing to loneliness? Well, this is where **Kate Van Waes**, the CEO and founder of [Van Waes Consulting](https://www.vanwaesconsulting.com/), comes in.

Welcome to [*Growthwell*](https://marketscale.com/shows/growthwell/). In this episode, [Josh Byrd](https://www.linkedin.com/in/joshbyrd/) and [Kate Van Waes](https://www.linkedin.com/in/kathrynvanwaes/) dive into the hidden struggles faced by leaders. Together, the two explore strategies to navigate them.

The two discuss…

- **The loneliness of leadership**: Kate shares her experiences advising leaders and navigating leadership roles herself, highlighting the unique challenges faced by minority leaders.
- **Balancing work and well-being**: Insights into how rest and recovery fuel creativity and productivity, offering a fresh perspective on traditional hustle culture.
- **The power of purposeful decision-making**: Kate explains how saying "no" to misaligned opportunities has empowered her career and personal growth.

### About the Guest

**Kate Van Waes** is the founder of Van Waes Consulting, specializing in leadership coaching, strategic planning, and nonprofit board development for mission-driven organizations. With a career spanning roles as an executive director, policy director, and advisor to high-level U.S. officials, she brings expertise in crisis management, leadership development, and organizational transformation.

Tags: Growthwell, josh byrd, Kate Van Waes, Van Waes Consulting

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