Never Build a Fortress: Why Social Isolation Destroys Power Faster Than Enemies

History is littered with leaders and innovators who, once powerful, tried to retreat into citadels or exclusive circles, hoping to shield themselves from attack—only to lose sight of critical developments and allies. One famous example: an emperor builds ever-higher walls, moving between rooms in secret, paranoid that assassins or rivals wait outside. Cut off from honest feedback and news, he loses the ability to respond, and soon, even his friends don’t know where he stands. In contrast, cultures and organizations that regularly circulate their people, keep doors open, and value broad interaction stay more resilient.

Behavioral insights confirm this: studies show that people who experience setbacks—rejection from a group, a failed friendship, or a tough breakup—often instinctively retreat, but those who force themselves to stay socially engaged bounce back faster and make fewer mistakes. Social networks act as shock absorbers for stress and valuable sources of information, even when trust is low. In animal models, isolation is a predictor of risk-taking, paranoia, and loss of adaptive skills.

Fortresses, internal or external, may feel safe but cut off the very resources, insights, and relationships that make recovery and growth possible.

If you’re tempted to shut yourself away when things get tough—don’t. Take inventory of your network and deliberately look for one or two gaps: places where you’ve gone silent or connections you’ve let drop. Try reaching out, even in simple ways like sending a quick message or dropping by a meeting, especially where things have felt awkward. Stay engaged, no matter how uncomfortable, and resist the urge to build walls. With each small bridge, you’ll find new support, information, and opportunities that fortresses can never provide. Try this the next time a setback tempts you to hide.