The Shadow Side of Leadership

The shadow side of leadership is exactly as it sounds. This is the side of leadership that gets communicated between a chosen few of the afflicted or is discussed with executive coaches or other confidants... but rarely is it discussed openly.

The pressures to perform in a leadership role can lead to many side effects that we have considered “normal” by business standards. Stress, depression, relationship issues, split personality, health issues, and even addiction and substance abuse, have become the norm.

Luckily there is a new normal emerging. The ability to communicate authentically about the shadowy side of leadership is the first step.

Here are a few tools for your consideration:

• Create a daily grounding practice. Meditation, art, yoga, breathing exercises, etc. By resting your mind you will be able to handle crisis in leadership more effectively and your body will be healthier for it.
• Get moving! Get your heart rate up for at least 30 minutes each day and sweat. There may be no better return on any other investment of your time.
• Find a safe place to communicate openly. Most leaders do not have a neutral sounding board they can trust. When you are the leader you have no one above you to talk to, nor can you talk to your staff. Executive Coaches specialize in these areas. As an alternative, facilitated mastermind groups for leaders can be very effective as well.

Stress and pressure do not have to be dominate forces in your leadership world. You do not have to feel you are ten feet tall and bullet proof. For your highest quality of business and life, ultimately, you just have to be yourself.