As leaders, we’re often there for everyone but ourselves. Yet just as with anything else, if we don’t take time for thinking, reflection, and support as leaders, we’ll soon find ourselves burned out and unable to deliver our best to our teams. But how do we give ourselves the reflective, supportive time we need as leaders? The answer can be found in a leadership peer group or “executive collective.”
I’ve experienced the power of these types of groups firsthand, as have many of the executives and CEOs with who I’ve coached and collaborated with over the years. In my case, as I evolved in building my company, I had a board of directors and fellow CEOs I met with regularly. In this capacity, what I valued most wasn’t just the tactical advice I’d receive from my peers, though this was certainly important — it was the space to pause, reflect, and expand my thinking beyond the day’s immediate demands. The combined insight in the room helped me realize that none of us were alone — and that helped us work together to push past obstacles, rethink challenges, and reimagine what was possible.
Why does this type of group experience work so well? Here are some of the top reasons:
Perspective Over Performance
As a communal braintrust at the leadership level, the real question evolves from a performance-based approach of “What should I do?” to a perspective-based reflection: “Who do I think with?” That’s because leadership is about relationship management, presence, discernment, and influence — often under high scrutiny and without a clear playbook. As senior leaders, we don’t need more content — we need more meaning, sharper thinking, refined strategy, and a trusted space to step outside the noise. One of the best ways to get there is together, sharing insight from other executives who are navigating similar complexities.
Confidentiality and Candor
As a leader, you need space to be honest — with yourself and others — without performing. Whether you’re a CEO, president, VP, or director, having the right circle around you means each leader can learn and tap into the power of a group of peers who understand and can relate to similar issues — the issues you can’t share with just anyone, but require trusted peer-to-peer, leader-to-leader insights — becoming confidential ambassadors for each other. An executive experience like this has the potential to help everyone involved feel comfortable and supported in moments of vulnerability and candor, while emerging with creative ideas to move forward and overcome challenges.
Time to Step Back
Creating space for this type of leadership conversation is about evolving not just what you do, but how you lead — momentarily slowing down so you can ultimately lead more effectively. For senior leaders, making time to converse with other executives isn’t about disengaging — it’s about stepping back to think more expansively and lead more intentionally. This is because you can’t refine your leadership in a vacuum — the best thinking happens in trusted, intentional conversations. It requires gaining insight from other executives who you can lean into with the biggest challenges and opportunities you’re currently facing.
Shared Stakes, Shared Intention
When you’re in a leadership community with peers who match your ambition, your clarity sharpens. Within leadership teams, women leaders have an additional layer of shared stakes and intentions. When women leaders come together in this type of powerful peer huddle, the result is more than just a support circle — it becomes a strategy accelerator, decision-making lab, and space where presence becomes influence.
Ready to Take the Next Step?
I invite you to ask yourself: Do you have a trusted group of peers who challenge, support, and expand how you lead? A space where you can speak freely and reconnect with what matters most?
There’s a special power of a peer forum for women executives, because senior-level women often carry an invisible burden to represent, deliver, and shoulder more than just their own role. Something shifts when we remember our combined power: women act as advisors, allies, and amplifiers for each other, both in moments of challenge and moments of possibility.
This is why we created an executive peer group where senior women leaders can step outside their roles and into real conversation. It’s not about learning something new — it’s about making space for what you already know, but rarely get to say out loud.
If that kind of space would serve you right now, I’d love to connect. To learn more, get in touch with us atinfo@shambaughleadership.com.
Visit SHAMBAUGH’s offerings on Executive Coaching, Leadership Development, Coaching and Development Programs for Women, Keynotes, and Fireside Chats.
Rebecca Shambaugh is President of SHAMBAUGH Leadership, Founder of Women in Leadership and Learning, and author of the best-selling books It’s Not a Glass Ceiling, It’s a Sticky Floor and Make Room for Her: Why Companies Need an Integrated Leadership Model to Achieve Extraordinary Results.