Fear Not: Leadership and the Shadow Self
Rethinking Leadership offers a refreshing perspective. The leadership crisis during the COVID pandemic serves as a catalyst for this book. The pandemic illustrates the central thesis: older leadership models must be replaced with new approaches that are relevant today. The book explores outdated leadership models and explains why they are ineffective. It introduces various new leadership methods, such as transpersonal and mindful leadership, and highlights their significance for today’s leaders. A focus on holistic leadership resonates throughout each chapter. It integrates psychology, neuroscience, and philosophy to provide an innovative perspective on leadership development.
I will focus my blog on Chapter 15, “The Shadow Side of Leadership. “ In this chapter, Dr. Beerel addresses the hidden dark places of leadership: fear, narcissism, power, and toxic leaders. She examines how these elements affect leadership and those they lead. The topic of fear particularly resonated with me.
People have told me that I am fearless, and in some ways, I understand why. I enjoy public speaking, meeting new people, and embracing new experiences that others might find intimidating—such as handling snakes or living in Africa. Beneath the adventure and thrill-seeking lies a significant presence of fear in my life. I struggle with fears of failure, being alone, and appearing incompetent, to name a few. These fears may not be immediately visible, but they run deep. This is the reality for most leaders—whether they acknowledge it or not. Fear is one of the issues lurking in the shadows of leadership.
How leaders confront their fears tremendously impacts themselves and those they lead. Recognizing these fears is a step toward self-awareness, an essential aspect of leadership, as Beerel argues it is lacking application among leaders.[1] Being aware of what resides in one’s “shadow” is a step toward cultivating self-awareness. The shadow side is what Simon Walker would refer to as the backstage. The backstage of our lives involves dealing with the messy and ambiguous aspects that we prefer to keep hidden from others.[2] The frontstage is where we show and allow our convictions and self-assurance to govern.[3] The shadow side that Beerel discusses is backstage and so profoundly concealed that we often refuse to acknowledge its existence.
What is in the shadow? The shadow holds “all those feelings, thoughts, and emotions that we have denied, suppressed, or repressed as not being part of us.”[4] These are the attributes, personality traits, and insecurities we hide from others and ourselves. Ironically, others will see what is in our shadow more quickly than we can.[5] Behaviors that come from the shadow are those that look immature and can be the most destructive and disempowering.[6] The foundation of these behaviors is fear.[7]
Leaders head this warning: “People who have power and who do not respect and attend to their own fears take out their fear on people in the organization.”[8] Facing one’s fear can be the difference between a destructive leader and a self-aware, undefended leader. How do we face our fears? Beerel warns that dealing with one’s shadow and fears is a long, courageous journey that takes perseverance and hard work. Those who take the time to address their shadow side are those who become courageous, creative, ethical leaders.[9] Rethinking Leadership encourages leaders to acknowledge and address the shadow side of themselves. Identifying triggers, addressing fears, and being creative are ways to help constructively address the shadow.[10]
Christian leaders can also find hope in addressing their shadow side through Scripture and the guidance of the Holy Spirit. The command to “fear not” appears 365 times in the Bible. Confronting and overcoming fear reflects God’s desire for His people. In the book Soul Care: Seven Transformational Principles of a Healthy Soul, Dr. Rob Reimer offers Biblical advice for overcoming fear. He offers these six steps, referencing Philippians 4:4-9.
As I reflect on the concept of the shadow side and the fears that influence many leaders, there cannot be shadows if we invite light into those spaces. Psalm 139:12 describes the Father of Lights, “Even the darkness will not be dark to you; the night will shine like the day, for darkness is as light to you.” This prompts these questions: What fears linger in the shadow self that prevent me from being the leader God created me to be? What areas of my life does God wish to illuminate in the darkness? What is God inviting me to do with my fears? Redefining Leadership addresses the need for innovative and holistic leadership in changing times, encouraging leaders to confront our fears. The Ancient of Days offers joy, peace, and hope to replace our fears.
[1] Annabel C. Beerel, Rethinking Leadership: A Critique of Contemporary Theories (New York, NY: Routledge, 2021), 80.
[2] Simon P Walker, “Leading out of Who You Are,” 2016, 45.
[3] Walker, 45.
[4] Beerel, Rethinking Leadership, 305.
[5] Ibid, 306.
[6] Ibid, 306.
[7] Ibid, 307.
[8] Ibid.
[9] Ibid, 306.
[10] Ibid, 318.
[11] Dr. Rob Reimer, Soul Care: Seven Transformational Principles for a Healthy Soul (Franklin, TN: Carpenter’s Son Publishing, 2016), 196.
[12] Ibid, 197.
[13] Ibid.
[14] Ibid, 198-199.
[15] Ibid, 199.
[16] Ibid.
About the Author
Kari
Kari is a passionate follower of Jesus. Her journey with Him currently has her living in the Sahara in North Africa. With over a decade of experience as a family nurse practitioner and living cross-culturally, she enjoys being a champion for others. She combines her cross-cultural experience, her health care profession, and her skills in coaching to encourage holistic health and growth. She desires to see each person she encounters walk in fullness of joy, fulfilling their God-designed purpose. “Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer.” Romans 12:12 ESV18 responses to “Fear Not: Leadership and the Shadow Self”
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Kari,
Good words on fear and the shadow side of leadership or the backstage. I addressed the backstage a bit in my discussion on authenticity as I think the two go hand in hand. Regarding fear though… When I lived in Kenya I experienced the greatest amount of fear in my life. I remember being terrified of things and that fear/power is a real aspect to living there, along with honor/shame. Do you think that your time in Africa has deepened the fear inside of you? Islam is a religion of fear. Fear induced shame. I wonder if you have seen any aspects of a deepened fear that relate to living in that particular setting.
Adam, Thank you for the thought-provoking comment. I have indeed experienced deep fear here in Africa. In my host culture, fear and shame are the root of life. Terrorist jail breaks, deadly viruses, and mass riotings are some significant events that made me pause and figure out how to trust God in that fear. Concerning your question, “Do you think that your time in Africa has deepened the fear inside of you?” No. I do not think it has deepened my fear, but it has profoundly exposed my fears.
Fears I had no idea even existed before Africa have been revealed here. These sometimes came out in destructive behaviors, as Beerel mentions. Because of this exposure (thank you, Africa!), I have been able to identify deep-seated fears from the past, get counseling, and deal with those fears. Now, when I do experience fear that stems from the culture and the circumstances around me, I have the tools to better deal with them, and they do not seem as deep and significant. That being said, I have not had to deal with any truly life-threatening fears up to this point.
Kari, this is a brave essay. Thank you for sharing so openly.
My coaching certification class includes a lot of Jungian psychology and Jung talked about the shadow a lot. In my last class our instructor shared that we learn to put anger into the shadow because managing it is what separates humans from animals; it’s what makes us civilized. He also said that Jung said that we have to have the courage to shine a light into all the shadow parts of ourselves. That makes me think about IFS, Internal Family Systems.
The idea behind IFS is that all parts are welcome; all parts serve a purpose and should be treated with compassion.
If you were to treat your unnamed fears with compassion, do you think they might be more inclined to peak their heads out of the shadow?
That is an interesting question, Debbie. Through counseling, I have addressed some of my fears compassionately. Because of that, I think my fears do surface faster. I think partly because I am more aware of them and know to look for them in the shadows, but perhaps it is because I look at those fears more compassionately than with disgust and hatred as before.
Kari,
Thanks for your openness. I appreciate your Adam’s response about fear. I wonder how much of that is tied to the spiritual warfare that exists there, I know he said he saw a lot of dark things.
My greatest fear over the years is fearing that I won’t be able to monetarily provide for my family. It has impacted me at work and at home.
Here is my question for you. Think about leaders that impact your life. Think about the books we have read so far that have specifically addressed leadership. Is there a leader who you would want to give one of the books (you do not have to identify anyone in your response), which book, and why (what specific content would you want them to read)?
Great question, Jeff. I would want the leader to read “Mining for Gold.” The coaching approach frees us from having the answers, but instead walks with others to empower them and help them find those answers. I would also share the article from Karise Hutchinson on “Margin.” Margin and Sabbath are very closely related and vital to healthy leadership. Very few leaders I know have a good grasp of their margin and taking a Sabbath.
Thanks for your vulnerability, Kari. It leads me to remember the fundamentals, that I am a child of God, and bear God’s image. This gift reaffirms how the absence of fear is mystically linked to the experience of God’s perfect love. From there, Light emerges and grows. Thanks for helping me.
Thank you for your kind words, Joel. “The absence of fear is mystically linked to the experience of God’s perfect love.” This is a beautiful mystery!
Kari, I love your vulnerabilty that gives space for pause and reflection. How can leaders cultivate better self-awareness in addressing these hidden fears and avoid destructive leadership behaviors which lead to derailment?
Daren, you ask the question I keep asking! How do we do this? For myself, it was first acknowledging that I did have destructive, unhealthy behavior triggers and then using those to delve into the root—fear. Leaders are prone to ignoring or denying their harmful behaviors and fears. We all have them, so it starts with acknowledging that.
Hi Kari, thanks for your post on the shadow side of leadership. I empathize with your fear of failure and appearing incompetent. How do you balance the need to be confident (and bring stability) in your leadership with bringing these into the light, while not causing fear in those you lead?
Christy, that is a great question. If you have suggestions from your own journey, I’d love to hear them! For myself, it starts with working on my shadow side privately (many times with outside counsel). Acknowledging, addressing, and working on those root issues has given me freedom. This freedom allows me to be authentic and real without the power the fear once had. My authenticity builds trust and helps me address issues in those I lead. We are all on different journeys and people respond in various ways. It is about trust, consistency, authenticity (no secrets!), and love!
Hi Kari. Given Beerel’s argument that outdated leadership models must be replaced with transpersonal and mindful leadership approaches, what practical steps can leaders take to integrate these new frameworks while navigating resistance from those who prefer traditional structures?
HI Glyn, Humility and focusing on relationships rather than the task at hand can help build a safe bridge between the new and the old. Obviously, resistance will happen. When trust is at the foundation of the relationship, it allows for healthy discussion and hopefully collaboration for new and old methods.
Hi Kari, It’s good that God gave you a fantastic friend and colleague to walk alongside you in the scarier seasons of life. Yes, that’s me! At the end of your post, you ask some great concluding questions. Would you be open to sharing your thoughts on the question, “What areas of my life does God wish to illuminate in the darkness?”
Elysse, Thanks. You are a good friend. This is something I am am still wrestling with and do not yet have a solid answer.
Kari, I appreciate your focus on chapter fifteen since I didn’t spend much time on it. Given that fear is deeply ingrained in human psychology, what practical steps can leaders take to consistently recognize and address their fears before they manifest in harmful ways? Also, how can organizations create environments encouraging leaders to confront their ‘shadow side’ without fear of vulnerability or judgment?
Great questions, Chad.
Some practical steps to consistently recognize and address fears would be: 1) have accountability with a few people who have permission to speak up when they see warning signs in your life, 2) regularly evaluate where I am at holistically, mentally, and in my leadership roles and get help when the balance is off, 3) identify ahead of time triggers and signs that fears may be taking hold so that it makes ieasierer to identify in the future, 4) consistently prioritize margin and sabbath rest.
If these above steps are also incorporated at an organizational level, properly dealing with fear will become part of the organization’s DNA. This would help reduce judgment and model healthy vulnerability.