Stress at the Top
Why Leadership in Malta is More Isolated Than You Think We often picture business leaders as confident, driven, and in control. They make big decisions, move companies forward, and often carry the weight of others. But in reality, many leaders do all this while feeling deeply alone. In our recent research conducted through Willingness in collaboration with the Malta Chamber of Commerce, we asked a simple but rarely discussed question: Who is taking care of the boss? The answers we received revealed something striking. Behind the ambition and strength that define many Maltese business leaders, there is a silent,
True Leadership: The Courage to Be Disliked for the Right Reasons
Being willing to be disliked for the right reasons is the true meaning of leadership. It's not about being the most popular person in the room, receiving standing ovations, or hearing constant praise. In its purest form, leadership is about accountability to your people, your mission, and the future you are trying to build. And often, that comes with discomfort, disapproval, and being misunderstood. Some of the most outstanding leaders in history have had to make unpopular decisions to serve the greater good. Think of Winston Churchill and how he was often criticised for his stubbornness and directness, yet
The Lonely Boss
Why Leadership in Malta is More Isolated Than You Think We often picture business leaders as confident, driven, and in control. They make big decisions, move companies forward, and often carry the weight of others. But in reality, many leaders do all this while feeling deeply alone. In our recent research conducted through Willingness in collaboration with the Malta Chamber of Commerce, we asked a simple but rarely discussed question: Who is taking care of the boss? The answers we received revealed something striking. Behind the ambition and strength that define many Maltese business leaders, there is a silent,
Who’s Taking Care of the Boss?
Over the last few months, my team at Willingness and I have had the opportunity to explore a question that’s been lingering in the background of boardrooms, HR offices, and clinic sessions for years. Who is taking care of the boss? As therapists, psychologists, business leaders, and fellow humans, we’ve seen the toll leadership can take, especially in Malta’s private sector. So, we decided to look into it more closely. What followed was a study that merged data collection with lived experience. And the results were eye-opening. Understanding the Psychology of a Leader Let’s start with what kind of
How Becoming Malta’s First Sex Therapist Changed Me as a Man
When I first set out on this journey, I thought I was introducing something Malta desperately needed—open, honest, and professional conversations about sex, relationships, and intimacy. I didn’t realize how much this work would reshape me as a man, how it would influence my relationships, and how it would challenge my perception of love, trust, and even myself. Being Malta’s first sex therapist wasn’t just about breaking cultural taboos. It forced me to question my beliefs, refine my emotional boundaries, and, at times, navigate unexpected struggles in my personal life. It Changed How I Saw Trust—Sometimes for the Worse
Understanding various personality types will help you lead when “surrounded by idiots”
Have you ever felt like you’re in a room full of complete idiots as a leader? Although managers and employers frequently find this frustrating, the truth is often more nuanced. Recognising and accommodating the wide range of team members' personalities is the key to effective leadership in challenging situations. This blog delves into the four personality types defined in Thomas Erikson’s book Surrounded by Idiots—Red, Yellow, Green, and Blue—and provides practical tactics for effectively leading each one. It draws on the ideas from the book to do so. According to Erikson, there are four main personality types, each of
Loneliness in Management: Overcoming and Comprehending the Silent Struggle
In the fast-paced business environment, management positions frequently offer the potential for professional fulfilment, responsibility, and prestige. Nevertheless, numerous managers face a mute and pervasive issue: loneliness. Loneliness is concealed beneath the façade of success and authority. This blog delves into the distinctive factors that contribute to loneliness in management positions, its adverse effects on mental fitness and performance, and the strategies that can be employed to address this frequently forgotten challenge. Although loneliness can affect anyone, individuals in managerial roles encounter unique obstacles that exacerbate feelings of isolation. Managers are frequently responsible for making challenging decisions that significantly
Blinded by Expectations: My Failure to Appreciate My Parents
For many years, I fiercely condemned my parents and emphasised their imperfections. I concentrated on what they didn't know. I focused on what they should have done. I was so focused on the harm created by their omissions. I was disappointed. I wanted better. I expected better. When I went to friends' houses, I compared how other parents were. I compared various aspects of others with features I did not enjoy in my parents. Growing up, I sometimes underestimated the importance of the teachings and values that my parents instilled in me. As a young adult, I found their
Learning the Hard Way: Failures in my own personal sexuality and relationships
As a sex and relationship therapist, you may think I've always succeeded in my personal relationships. However, my trip has been far from ideal. I've had several relationship disasters, accepting behaviour that I should never have endured and behaving in ways that I'm embarrassed to recollect. These encounters have been both humbling and enlightening, teaching me significant lessons about relationships and sexuality. In multiple relationships, I found myself tolerating behaviour that was damaging and totally contrary to my own principles. I might save my partner by tolerating these acts or repairing our relationship. This false feeling of obligation caused
