“Where love rules, there is no will to power; and where power predominates, there love is lacking. The one is the shadow of the other.”

(Carl Jung)

There he is again; caught on the stairs in low sunlight.

Every now and again, I catch a glimpse of my shadow.

I usually see him when I’m wondering what are ‘they’ doing? Why would they do that? Are they all crazy?

And in that moment, I look darkly into my own contribution towards the problem that irks me. I suddenly notice how I project my otherwise unconscious, unresolved conflicts onto others and perpetuate the dynamics that cause me trouble.

I know, that as a leader in the organisational rough and tumble, my shadow can pull me into the trap of energetically defending my followers, my team, while moving into competitive rivalry with those who, in turn, would try to exercise their (often legitimate) power or influence over me. It means I can be a good boss but, if I work for you, or even alongside you, I need a lot of space.

So, as I watch the rifts in our society deepen and fracture, I can catch myself wondering; What is wrong with those people? How does any of that stuff make any sense? How does anyone put up with that leader? And my shadowy patterns around loyalty, authority, groups and leadership play out…

Yet as I get to know my shadow a little better, I’m starting to see how I can derail myself and I’m finding ways to interrupt my own (less than helpful) behaviours.

I notice how a different sense of legitimacy arises if I rephrase my question. ‘So, really, how does any of that stuff make sense?’

Of course it makes sense.

To any one with a with different history, different story, different values, different shadow. Whether they are a leader or a follower. It all makes sense.

However our current political conflicts play out, we will still have a long way to go before we can reconcile our sharply polarised differences. We will need to experience the world beyond the confines of our echo chambers, easy assumptions and habitual ways of thinking. We will need to look carefully at patterns and behaviours that might have served us well in the past but now hold us back.

The path towards that kind of progress and healing is always unclear.

But our shadows will show us the way.

Notes:

Have a look at this HBR essay: “Why People Follow the Leader: The Power of Transference” which is one of the rare leadership articles examining follower’s motivations and what we ‘see’ in our leaders.

This article by Jack E Othon is a great primer on Carl Jung’s views of shadow and projection. It notes the devastating conclusion: “We hate and fear what we don’t understand, prompting us to pursue violence against people rather than seek diplomatic solutions with one another. We project our own worst qualities onto our enemies to justify the violence against them.” Jack finally concludes with the line, “Save your shadow self, save the world.”

My colleagues Erik De Haan and Anthony Kasozi have put together this really well argued and practical book: “The Leadership Shadow: How to recognise and avoid derailment, hubris and overdrive.” It’s full of rich insights and exercises to challenge your own leadership patterns, as well as some excellent leadership vignettes. You will see yourself…..!

Finally, Lord David Owen’s website has an excellent section on hubris and is a fabulous resource as we try to understand the temptations of political power and leadership.

See Also:

Utopia

Stance