“Until you make the unconscious conscious, it will direct your life and you will call it fate.” – Carl Jung

We all carry a “shadow”. Our fears, insecurities, habits, blind spots and it shows up in our leadership whether we notice it or not.

I once worked with a manager who could change the mood of a room without saying a word. If he walked in tense or stressed, the team would immediately go quiet. Smiles faded, people sat straighter and everyone spoke carefully. No harsh words, just the energy he brought with him.

That experience stuck with me.

As leaders, we don’t just lead with our words or actions. We lead with our presence, the energy, mindset and mood we bring into a room.

In my journey, I wanted to break this.
I didn’t want my stress or inner noise to become someone else’s burden.

But I will admit, I have been there too. There were times when I walked into meetings carrying unspoken pressure and the team felt off. Not because of what I said but because of what I brought with me.

That’s when I learned something important:
Leadership isn’t just about what we do.
It’s about the presence we bring.
And presence starts with awareness.

Here’s a spark for you: before your next meeting or conversation, take a moment to pause and ask yourself
What energy am I bringing into this room?
Is it my wisdom or my worry that’s leading today?

We are always leading, whether we realize it or not. The question is which part of us is leading?

True leadership starts with awareness.
Reflect, recalibrate and realign.
That’s where authentic leadership begins.