Last week I read up on six Chief Executives who committed suicide in recent months — all of them men, who, up until the moment of death, were in positions of significant power and wealth*.

Adolf Merckle, VEM Vermogensverwaltung, Germany, age 74

Thierry Magon de La Villehuchet, Access International Advisors, New York, age 65

Alex Widmer, Bank Julius Baer, Zurich, age 52

Kirk Stephenson, Olivant Ltd., London, age 47

Steven Good, Sheldon Good & Co., Chicago, age 52

Scott Coles, Mortgages Ltd., Phoenix, age 48

A leader’s suicide represents the last big decision of their life.  How is it that they make such a poor one?

The surge in suicides seems to parallel the waves of bad news affecting all Leaders in some way right now.  While only a few choose to take their life, many other Leaders are feeling the pressures build and the options fade.  And herein lies more opportunity for bad choices . . .

• choosing to drink to excess, repeatedly
• choosing to lie, cheat or steal to cover up losses
• choosing to vent through verbal or physical abuse of family members
• choosing to run away (or parachute away in one case) and hide

Strong Leaders cultivate habits that drastically reduce the chances they will make a final decision against themselves, even when times get really tough.

• They cultivate a support network of people with whom they can be completely honest.
• They cultivate a humility that isn’t afraid to say, “I’m hurting and I need some help.”
• They cultivate a healthy physical regimen that includes rest, replenishment with the right food and drink, and stress-relieving exercise.
• They cultivate a strong spiritual core, grounded in their faith.
• They cultivate a grateful heart that gives thanks for even the smallest things in and around them.

Which of these areas needs more cultivation for you?
Besides taking care of themselves, great Leaders also look for opportunities to care for others.

So here’s a personal challenge — If you’re doing OK, how can you care for another Leader you know?

I guarantee they are near you. But, and this is especially true for men, they probably won’t let you know.  So figure out a way to ask these questions, some of which don’t come easily for all of us —

“How are your doing?”

“No — how are your REALLY doing?”

“What concerns you most these days?  in your job?  your family?  your finances?”

“How are those concerns affecting you?”

“How can I help?”

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Forward this to a Leader.
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* – Though that ‘wealth and power’ had been threatened recently.