#Psychologicalsafety

A wave of new research is shining a spotlight on an under-recognised workplace epidemic: the loneliness of leaders. Recent findings from the Annecy Behavioral Science Lab, as reported in a compelling account in Psychology Today, reveal that as individuals ascend the ranks to leadership positions, they often find themselves increasingly isolated — a burden that has both emotional and organisational consequences. This issue is especially urgent amid Thailand’s evolving corporate and public sectors, where expectations of resilience and unwavering confidence remain deeply ingrained.

Toxic positivity—a workplace culture that insists “every cloud has a silver lining”—is causing more harm than good, experts warn, pushing employees toward burnout and undermining psychological safety. As businesses across Thailand strive to uplift morale after the disruptions of the pandemic, mounting evidence suggests that masking or suppressing negative emotions with relentless optimism can worsen mental health, reduce trust, and even hinder organisational growth. Recent research and commentary from international and Asian experts point to the urgency for leaders to foster honest, compassionate workplaces where the full range of human emotion is accepted.