Who’s in your leadership shadow?

We’re all judged by the company we keep

Melissa Rosenthal
Aug 22, 2017 · 3 min read
Image courtesy of Chief Executive Women

As a leader, like it or not, people will draw conclusions about you. They’ll decide what you believe, think and value. They’ll do it because “knowing” those things guides them to decide whether they want to work for you and how hard. It’s a way for them to decide whether or not they fit in your company. And if you don’t tell them, they’re likely to make it up. It’s not that they lie…more like they fill in the gaps.

One way to think about great leadership is to consider how you can minimise the gaps yourself. Your leadership shadow does this by acting as a sort of organisational Polyfilla (or spackle for the Americans among us).

Casting your leadership shadow acts as organisational Polyfilla


Every choice you make creates an impression on your team. The things you you say and do, the questions you ask, the performance standards you uphold and the meetings you attend all, in combination, send a strong message to your people about what is important to you. And the things you choose NOT to do or say send an equally strong message.

“A man is known by the company he keeps” — Aesop

But leadership shadow is about more than just you. It’s also about the people you surround yourself with. Your team.

Part of knowing yourself as a leader is looking at the people you hire, develop, promote and exit the organisation.

Here are my 5 steps making sure your people signposts are pointing in the right direction:

Step 1: Understand the values you’re actually living

Step 2: Reduce your monthly Polyfilla consumption

Step 3: Hire others that can do the same

Step 4: Don’t hold them back

Step 5: (Re)move the ones that don’t fit


Are your people signposts pointing in the right direction? Have you learned something from this article? Leave your comments below and I’ll look forward to our conversation!

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Melissa Rosenthal

Written by

Executive Coach | Mentor | Advisor | www.melissajrosenthal.com

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