Your Leadership Shadow: Are You Casting the Right One?
- Debra Corey
- Jun 18
- 4 min read
You know you influence your people - but have you ever considered the eerie presence of your shadow? "My what?" you might be thinking. Trust us, we had the same reaction when we first stumbled upon the term while researching our book. But the deeper we dug, the more unsettling and eye-opening it became. It unearthed memories we couldn’t ignore. Some were uplifting, moments of true inspiration. Others? Let’s just say they serve as cautionary tales - the kind that linger like whispers in the dark.
The two sides of your leadership shadow
When reflecting on your leadership shadow, it’s crucial to consider it in two ways, both equally important. By doing this, can you be more intentional about the shadow you cast in both directions.
The Shadow You Cast on Your Team
Your actions, values, behaviors and even what you prioritize and reward shape the culture, performance, and attitudes of your people - whether you realize it or not. It’s like when your child says or does something that makes you stop and think, Wait… do I really do that? And then reality hits - you do, and they’ve simply learned by watching you.
The Shadow You Leave on Future Leaders
Whether your people lead now or later, they’ll carry parts of your leadership style with them. Will they adopt your best qualities? Or will they work extra hard not to lead like you?
When we interviewed people for our book, we heard this time and time again - many said they went out of their way not to duplicate the bad boss behaviors they’d experienced. Think about it - your leadership choices today shape the leaders of tomorrow.
“A leader’s impact is like a shadow - always there, whether they realize it or not.”
Does Your Leadership Shadow Really Matter?
OK, I get it, I have a shadow. But you may be wondering - is my shadow actually that big of a deal? Can it really impact my people and company that much? We could throw a bunch of stats at you to prove that, yes, it absolutely does - but where’s the fun in that? Instead, let’s dive into some real-life stories of leaders who left shadows worth following… and those whose shadows had their teams running for the exit.
Well-Known Bosses Who Cast a Bad Shadow
These leaders are often remembered for toxic cultures, poor decision-making, or management styles that negatively impacted employees and business outcomes.
Elon Musk (Tesla, Twitter/X, SpaceX) The Shadow: Musk is a visionary but has also been accused of creating a high-pressure, fear-driven environment. Reports suggest he pushes employees to extremes, firing those who don't meet his expectations instantly, leading to stress, burnout, and instability. The Impact: Mass resignations, lawsuits from ex-employees, and reports of toxic workplace culture, especially at Twitter after mass layoffs.
Elizabeth Holmes (Theranos)The Shadow: Holmes sold a dream of revolutionary healthcare technology that didn’t exist, leading employees to work under deception, fear, and extreme pressure. The Impact: The downfall of Theranos resulted in lawsuits, criminal charges, and a massive loss of trust in leadership and Silicon Valley startups.
Harvey Weinstein (Former Hollywood Producer)The Shadow: Weinstein’s leadership was built on fear, intimidation, and abuse, using his power to manipulate employees and actors. The Impact: His exposure sparked the #MeToo movement, leading to legal consequences, and a massive industry reckoning on workplace abuse.
“A bad boss is like a shadow at noon - short, ineffective, and disappears when things get tough.”
Well-Known Bosses Who Cast a Good Shadow
These leaders are known for fostering trust, innovation, and engagement among their teams.
Jacinda Ardern (Former PM of New Zealand)The Shadow: Known for her empathetic and decisive leadership, she prioritized kindness, communication, and well-being while leading the country through crises. The Impact: She gained immense trust and loyalty from both her team and the public, proving that leadership doesn’t have to be cutthroat to be effective.
Tony Hsieh (Former CEO, Zappos)The Shadow: Hsieh revolutionized company culture by prioritizing employee happiness, customer service, and a unique, fun work environment. The Impact: Zappos became a gold standard for workplace culture, proving that happy employees drive business success.
Warren Buffett (CEO, Berkshire Hathaway)The Shadow: Buffett leads with humility, long-term thinking, and trust in his employees, avoiding the flashy, egotistical CEO persona. The Impact: His company thrives without micromanagement, and he’s widely respected for ethical business practices.
“Good leaders step into the light. Great leaders make sure others shine, too.”
To end on a positive and a call to action, here are three steps to take to be aware of your shadow:
Self-Reflection: Great leaders take a step back and regularly ‘look in the mirror’ to assess how they’re behaving, acting, and influencing their people. Do you like what you see, or do you need to take some ownership and responsibility to change the image?
Feedback Loops: Great leaders aren’t afraid to go to their people for their honest feedback, providing valuable insights into how their shadow is perceived. Think of it like a more powerful mirror, having a clearer view and insights. Btw, we just introduced a fantastic 360-degree feedback tool that does this, click on this link to learn more about it.
Look Around You: And finally, a sure fire way to know the impact of your leadership shadow is to look around you. Since your team’s behaviors, attitudes, and work habits are often a reflection of you - are you seeing the right ones or ones that make you pause?
In summary, keep in mind that your impact as a leader goes beyond the present - it shapes the future of your team and their teams to come. If you (or other managers in your organization) aren’t sure how your shadow shows up or what to do about it, we’re here to help.
Join us in conversations on LinkedIn, attend one of our workshops, or catch us at conferences and in-house talks. And if you want to dive deeper, our book Bad Bosses Ruin Lives is available on Amazon.
Comentários