In the last blog we explored “Five Ways to Stay Connected With Your Team”. In this blog we explore five ways to connect with people who can support you beyond your team and board.
I believe that some of the loneliness I experienced over the last 20 years stemmed from a lack of awareness around support and, at times, an inability to seek it. As a founder, you might feel like you have to do it all, even when that’s no longer true. You might believe you can’t show vulnerability, that you have to be the “strong one.”
These mindsets work against us. They don’t just stop us from asking for help; they block us from even considering that we might need it. Over time, we train our brains to believe we don’t need, or don’t deserve, support.
Throughout my journey, I’ve been supported by many wonderful people. But I wasn’t always consistent in how I accessed that support. Much of the work I’ve had to do has been about unlearning the habits I picked up during the early, intense years of founding organisations. Was that grind a necessary evil? I don’t think so.
5 support people every social entrepreneur needs.
- Have a regular coach, or reach out when needed
Coaching has been a vital resource for me, especially during times of transition or when I simply had too much on my plate. Even if you don’t work with a coach regularly, knowing there’s someone you can call on when you need clarity or perspective makes a huge difference. Just the other day I have reached out to mine for a one-off session. - Work with a therapist
You might already have a therapist for other reasons, but if you’re going through something tough, a breakup, a health scare, a big life change, and you’re also building a social enterprise, therapy can be transformative. It was for me. Both coaching and therapy can be expensive to access, but they do not need to be. There are some low-cost options and even pro-bono options worth exploring. - Join a peer support group
This, in hindsight, was the biggest gap in my support system. Being with others who understand what you’re going through, because they’re in the same boat, is not just helpful, it’s validating. I eventually found one of my peer groups through a fellowship, but there are many other ways and forums to connect. Yes, it requires a time commitment, but it’s absolutely worth it. - That close friend
Sometimes, all you need is a walk, a coffee, or a message from someone who knows you well. Close friends might not understand your work world in detail, but they often understand you. That matters. At these times I am drawn to friends who are good listeners, who do not try to rescue me, who are able to sit with the discomfort of seeing me stressed. A friend who can bear witness. - Family, but with care
In my case, my husband has been a solid rock throughout the journey of building social enterprises. That said, this is a tricky line to walk. We don’t want to offload too much onto family, especially if they’re not equipped to carry the emotional weight of the work we do. That’s what coaches, therapists, or peer groups are for. And we also want to avoid bringing so much home that we never truly switch off. Still, family can offer immense support, if we’re mindful about how we share, and where we draw the line.
Why is this important to you as a social entrepreneur or change maker?
Because building social change is not just about strategy or innovation, it’s about stamina, humanity, and connection. For years, I believed I had to be the “strong one,” the founder who never needed help. That mindset left me isolated and, at times, burnt out. Over time, I’ve learned that connection is not a luxury; it’s a survival tool.
As social entrepreneurs, we carry not only the weight of running an organisation but also the hopes of the communities we serve. That responsibility can be lonely, especially if we’ve trained ourselves to believe we can’t show vulnerability. But when we build a support system, through coaches, therapists, peer groups, friends, and family, we remind ourselves that we are human first. That grounding allows us to lead with more clarity, authenticity, and resilience.
For me, staying connected to support has been transformative. It’s helped me unlearn unhealthy patterns of overwork and self-reliance. It’s reminded me that asking for help is not weakness but wisdom. And it’s reinforced that the impact of my work is not just measured in the outcomes for others, but also in how sustainably and humanely I walk the journey myself.
In short, this matters because connection keeps me whole and only from that place can I keep showing up for others and for the change I want to create in the world.
Sebastian’s Coffee Cup Coaching Corner
Grab a coffee. Take 10 minutes. Reflect with these prompts:
– Where do you see a gap in your support system beyond your work colleagues?
– What action could you take to start filling that gap?
– Who could be that close friend who can bear witness?
– Where do you find validation?
I hope this post offers a moment to pause and reflect. I’d love to hear from you: share in the comments, on LinkedIn, or drop me a message. Let’s stay connected.
With solidarity and hope,
Sebastian
P.S. If you enjoyed this post, check out the Build a Social Enterprise Blog for more practical insights and stories and join my free newsletter on LinkedIn.
@sebastianrocca @buildasocialenterprise
