Understanding Your Dark Side as a Leader: The Leader and the Shadow
Every leader has a shadow side—hidden fears, insecurities, and unspoken weaknesses. Learn how to recognize and transform yours for better leadership. Understanding Your Dark Side as a Leader: The Leader and the Shadow Have you ever made a decision as a leader and later wondered, “Why did I react that way?” Or perhaps you've felt an impulse to control, dominate, or dismiss others' opinions —even when you knew it wasn’t the right approach? If so, you’ve encountered your shadow side . Carl Jung, a famous psychologist, described the shadow as the part of our personality we suppress or ignore. For leaders, this shadow often manifests as fear, insecurity, or hidden aggression —driving them to become tyrannical without realizing it. In this article, we’ll explore how leaders can identify, understand, and integrate their shadow to avoid becoming controlling, reactive, and toxic . What Is the Shadow in Leadership? The shadow consists of the parts of your personality you don’t...