“Character is like a tree and reputation like a shadow. The shadow is what we think of it; the tree is the real thing.”
Abraham Lincoln
We all have favourites. It could be a book, a restaurant, a movie, a city. For me, I have a favourite leadership concept, which is “shadow of the leader”. I learned it a long time ago and still reflect on it to guide me when working with leaders. I have found it to be one of the most powerful concepts in coaching executives.
There are many definitions. The simplest is that the more senior you are in an organisation, the more that seniority exaggerates everything you say and do. Your positional power considerably dials up your impact. The evidence is that when the CEO is quoted by the team, only their first name is used … because everyone knows who is being quoted!
You may be a CEO, however any position of authority, including mother, father, or community leader has a “leadership shadow”, which amplifies the impact.
Think about when you meet a very senior leader, you remember EVERYTHING they said. Now you are “that person” and your organisation sees you the same way you first saw that senior leader.
For many of us, we grow as leaders, yet we still see ourselves as the young person we initially were, whereas the organisation, community, family sees us very differently.
When casting your shadow, keep these points in mind:
- Your leadership shadow is one of the most powerful drivers of your organisation’s culture — for the positive and negative.
- Your shadow is “on-show” all the time, from a townhall presentation in front of 200 people to you in the kitchen getting yourself a quick coffee. In Disney’s Theme Parks, the theme park characters are referred to as “cast members” and they are constantly reminded, when “a guest” can see you, even if you are backstage, you are on-stage. As a CEO, your shadow is always on show.
- Your shadow must be authentically you. Your team, family, community will see through it if not.
Don’t be afraid of your shadow; embrace it and be aware of its impact.
Credits: featured image – iStock.com/monkeybusinessimages
