If You Want To Be A True Leader, Focus On Your Shadow.

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Abstract

others.</p><p id="567f">Being a leader is not easy; it is a hat that you do not take out never. You are a leader 24/7, and it is crucial to have that in mind. People will be looking at you all the time.</p><p id="e99b">I used to work with a leader that was very good at inspiring others. He could be in front of a broad audience and convinced them about anything. I remembered once he was talking about Safety. The company had suffered some significant safety incidents, and he was talking about why it was so important to take care of each other, and also that Safety starts with us. He made an exact point that as a leader safety will always be first.</p><p id="b485">Three days after, on the weekend, a group of work-related people saw him crossing in the middle of the street, while cars were passing by.</p><p id="c230">What do you think happened? We can argue that he was on his weekend, during his personal time. But the truth is that he wasn’t following his own advice. And all the speech of Safety first died in that same moment.</p><p id="5382">One of the advice that I provide to my clients when I am doing coaching is that they need to think on their leadership at work, in the same way, the think about their role as parents or sons.</p><p id="192a">When you are a parent, you can spend an entire day saying to your kid “don’t do that”, but they will learn more from what they see from you. This is because children are always learning from everything around them, and our behaviours, actions, and attitudes will impact them.</p><h2 id="273e"

Options

The Leadership Shadow</h2><p id="e677">Anthony Kasozi and Erik de Haan introduced this model, as a way to help leaders to be aware of their Shadow, but also be able to draw the Shadow that they want to project to their teams.</p><p id="27c4">When you are thinking in your Shadow as a leader, or you are trying to define the Shadow that you want to have, you need to ask yourself what are you showing to the others in four main categories:</p><h2 id="db5b">What do you say</h2><ul><li>Do you ensure people understand the <i>why</i>?.</li><li>Do you provide genuinely and open feedback?</li><li>Are your messages consistently?</li></ul><h2 id="e8b8">How do you act</h2><ul><li>What behaviours do you model?</li><li>Are your actions aligned with what you say?</li><li>Do you make sure people are heard?</li></ul><h2 id="6359">What do you recognize</h2><ul><li>What do you watch?</li><li>Do you encourage people to learn from their mistakes?</li><li>Do you play favourites?</li></ul><h2 id="d848">What do you prioritize</h2><ul><li>Where do you spend your time?</li><li>What do you emphasize?</li><li>What meetings don’t you miss?</li></ul><p id="5d02">During my career, I have seen how this simple exercise can help leaders to reflect on themselves, and how are they showing up in front of others, generating a significant impact on their teams.</p><p id="5e95">Being a leader is more than just the title; it is a long journey. Constant self-awareness, improvement, and reflection can make the difference in the commitment of your teams.</p></article></body>

Your actions are more important than your words.

A leader doesn’t just get the message across; he is the message. (Warren Bennis)

Leadership is not just about the qualities, skills, or the capabilities someone needs to have. Yes, that is important but is not everything. It is about the impact that you make on others, and how do you motivate and inspire people to follow you in your journey.

If we want to make a significant change in others and become a true leader, then we need to be aware of what is the Shadow that we are projecting to our teams, peers, and bosses.

During my career, I have found thousands of leaders that have studied different leadership models. They have spent time, money, and resources researching and taking courses. And, do not get me wrong that is fine. But when you are leading, it is crucial not only learn and improve your skills. It is also essential to know the impact that you are having on others.

Being a leader is not easy; it is a hat that you do not take out never. You are a leader 24/7, and it is crucial to have that in mind. People will be looking at you all the time.

I used to work with a leader that was very good at inspiring others. He could be in front of a broad audience and convinced them about anything. I remembered once he was talking about Safety. The company had suffered some significant safety incidents, and he was talking about why it was so important to take care of each other, and also that Safety starts with us. He made an exact point that as a leader safety will always be first.

Three days after, on the weekend, a group of work-related people saw him crossing in the middle of the street, while cars were passing by.

What do you think happened? We can argue that he was on his weekend, during his personal time. But the truth is that he wasn’t following his own advice. And all the speech of Safety first died in that same moment.

One of the advice that I provide to my clients when I am doing coaching is that they need to think on their leadership at work, in the same way, the think about their role as parents or sons.

When you are a parent, you can spend an entire day saying to your kid “don’t do that”, but they will learn more from what they see from you. This is because children are always learning from everything around them, and our behaviours, actions, and attitudes will impact them.

The Leadership Shadow

Anthony Kasozi and Erik de Haan introduced this model, as a way to help leaders to be aware of their Shadow, but also be able to draw the Shadow that they want to project to their teams.

When you are thinking in your Shadow as a leader, or you are trying to define the Shadow that you want to have, you need to ask yourself what are you showing to the others in four main categories:

What do you prioritize

Where do you spend your time?

What do you emphasize?

What meetings don’t you miss?

During my career, I have seen how this simple exercise can help leaders to reflect on themselves, and how are they showing up in front of others, generating a significant impact on their teams.

Being a leader is more than just the title; it is a long journey. Constant self-awareness, improvement, and reflection can make the difference in the commitment of your teams.