Are you a Wounded Leader?

It’s not one of Jung’s traditional archetypes..

There is, of course, the Wounded Healer, who strives to serve others in their healing all the while facing their own old wounds, or one that has been wounded in the process of helping others.

But what about the Wounded Leader, the one who’s in charge of others’ performance and success?

What happens when they are working from a place of wounding?

From either current struggles or old, pained patterns that are impeding their ability to truly lead others?

You can often spot them when there is an environment of high turnover rate, lowered morale, and/or lots of workplace drama.

How many of you have worked for these Wounded Leaders?

I know I have. I can think of three such past experiences at the top of my head.

How many of you ARE these Wounded Leaders?

It may be hard to admit to ourselves, and our pride or ego often gets in the way, but Wounded Leaders often point the finger at others because they are too afraid to look within for the solutions. They distance themselves from their team as a form of misguided self-protection. These types of Wounded Leaders tend to become angry or apathetic towards those who work with and for them.

Or… they do look at themselves, too harshly, and readily take on blame that may not even be theirs to take. These types of Wounded Leaders become weary and broken far too often, showing their gaping wounds to the team and to the greater world.

Both types need to face their old stories first in order to be effective leaders.

If you are, or think you may be, a Wounded Leader, there is an answer!

Reach out to schedule a Discovery Call to see how I can help you and your team to not just succeed, but to thrive!

(Pic above is from the wonderful film, The Fisher King, which offers a powerful take on the Arthurian story of the Wounded Healer/King in modern times.)