The Leadership Shadow
We all, at some point, find ourselves “leading”. A time when others have an expectation of you knowing what to do, in moving forward. Some garner this role naturally others reluctantly and still others avoid the process all together. Most leaders are forged from need, they may or may not have been trained.
I’m not really referring to titles, just those who have stepped in and filled a gap of need so often that now others see them as a leader. In filling these gaps they have developed a tool shed of wisdom that constantly grows.
Over the past 30 years I have come to understand that leadership casts a shadow. This shadow isn’t something we create, but because we are moving towards the light in front of us, natural shadow appears.
Being in front and navigating new terrain is challenging enough, but our shadow sometimes casts across the path of others. The shadow is amoral and natural. Like money though it can be misused are seen as something different than intended.
A few years ago I had to admit to myself that the shadow exists. I neither wanted the role of leadership or intended to shade others in my shadow. In general we all had great jobs, customers and a culture that really focused on families. The goals of customer satisfaction and profits were pretty straightforward. I assumed.
Accidental or intentional leadership places you in a position where you will be determining in which direction others will travel. You will either find yourself alone ahead of everyone or just in front casting the shadow. Out in front to far and your burdens are heavy with no support. Close and casting the shadow, you will hear the chatter of performance. The group or individual that you lead doesn’t look through the binoculars of tomorrow. They see the present and the shadow you have cast.
How you manage this shadow is one of the keys to fulfillment. In some cases people need to be released from the shadow so that they can find their own point position or a shadow they can get behind. More often than not though the shadow is misinterpreted.
Without the binoculars others may not understand why you turned left or right. How you approach this chatter will ultimately determine goal attainment. No matter the goal, family reconciliation or getting to Mars. A goal you set will ultimately set you out in front.
There are several ways to address the shadow causing performance chatter.
Ignore it
Challenge it
Understand it
The first two are self explanatory and easy ways to continue forward. However you will find the chatter does reduce because you have moved too far forward. In some cases we need to scout out what the binoculars have shown just to experience in real time what we have seen. Hang to long out at the perimeter though and the chatter will grow, even though you can't hear.
Notwithstanding the first two, the attempt to understand the performance chatter that the shadow produces, offers opportunity. Helping those correlate your choices into their present need can often build a strong corporate culture. This benefit is not often experienced, personally, by the leader. It will be experienced in a culture of trust where goal attainment accelerates. In most cases this element of trust will not be attributed to you personally.
Regardless of how you find yourself within a leadership paradigm know that a shadow exists and that others may be standing there wondering how they fit or supporting you blindly. Sharing enough of your leadership view so that others will follow is sometimes complicated, but well worth the effort.
Lead well:)
"
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Comments
Harvey Lloyd
6 years ago #22
Harvey Lloyd
6 years ago #21
Deep truth in those statements. Have joyous thanksgiving and thanks for your engagement and wisdom. You da man😎
Randall Burns
6 years ago #20
You know Harvey Lloyd the best leaders I ever crossed paths with were the ones that were adamant in stating "I'm not a good leader", Another aspect that was taught to me when I was younger was; "In order to be a good leader, you have to be a good follower"
Harvey Lloyd
6 years ago #19
Ahhhh the upside down shadow. Experienced that one a lot in my youth. I was suppose to be the leader but many were older. Worked out most of the time. With a dad like you i am sure your daughter will do well. Thanks for stopping by.
Jerry Fletcher
6 years ago #18
Harvey Lloyd
6 years ago #17
My guess would be, bee inspired Thanks for the tip
Ali Anani
6 years ago #16
you can find who shared when you spot your buzz on the homepage. In blur you shall find who shared and the hives in which it was shared. So guess to which hive I shared your buzz
Harvey Lloyd
6 years ago #15
Thanks for the share and your insights. Its interesting when you walk in the book store or enter a search for leadership books you find so many great wisdom leaders. But sometimes its the simple things that we don't anticipate that grab our attention. In the moment of leadership we can be great but if don't see the moment we can't lead. I know these things from personal experience and i sense many great leaders would agree it's the small things before they get big are where we need to be. The shadow is but one small piece of a large jigsaw puzzle of wisdom. Thanks again, Gert Scholtz
Gert Scholtz
6 years ago #14
Gert Scholtz
6 years ago #13
Harvey Lloyd
6 years ago #12
Harvey Lloyd
6 years ago #11
In my construction days i referred to this as my footprint. It was large and in charge. In more of a professional setting where every once and while they let me out of the neandertal exhibit. Some folks enjoy the shadow, i am one of those folks. If you want point you got it, just give a shout when you begin to slow down or i will be bumping into you. I am not much on the front line with customers and the outside world. I have to work at it, it doesn't come naturally. It's not so much protecting as it is that many folks know their risk points and their gifts. Mine are making the point look good. I can work the point well, for short periods, but its not my natural habitat. Thanks for stopping in and leaving a comment. I enjoy the thoughts and perspectives.
Harvey Lloyd
6 years ago #10
I almost used the word enlightenment as the light giver. But thought the word was bit over the top. The light is the basic tenants that we see as a goal or shared journey. It's a place out in front we believe to hold the truths of our success. Great question but the light is really the vision of the team, group or person. Thanks for the share
Harvey Lloyd
6 years ago #9
Great comment, "allowed to guide" this is really the crux of the matter. A perspective where we realize our time is short in the eyes of those in our shadow. We must build trust quickly. Thanks for stopping and commenting.
Harvey Lloyd
6 years ago #8
Great questions and sharing the vision sometimes is difficult. Helping others understand the complexities of a well thought out vision statement can be daunting. The mere engagement from a purpose of serving is usually enough. Sometimes we need a to do a little more. And as your second question indicates we need to release some who want something from the shadow they can't have. The concept of controlled growth offers those who experience the shadow to take point from time to time. My roll of running up to the crow's nest to take stock of progress and direction allows others to flourish in a safe environment. In the end our decisions as leaders sometimes are misunderstood. Allowing the person to be heard in a safe environment usually will give insight into what is needed. On like the 2x4 on the shoulder swinging around and hitting people, our shadow crosses their path and we may or may not know we hit them.
Harvey Lloyd
6 years ago #7
Leadership is a complex paradigm but very rewarding. It is typically what we don't see that gets us. The shadow concept is related to a personal start up that i am engaging and attempting to better understand my rather large shadow when i lead. It's not arrogance but rather my bullishness in completing a goal. Thanks for your thoughts and dropping by.
Randall Burns
6 years ago #6
Pascal Derrien
6 years ago #5
Debasish Majumder
6 years ago #4
Ali Anani
6 years ago #3
Mohammed Abdul Jawad
6 years ago #2
Debasish Majumder
6 years ago #1