You’ve probably heard the business adage: “Great organizations are the shadow of the leader.” It makes sense that the culture, vision, direction, and control of the organization is cast by one leader. My question is: do you fit within that shadow?

 

Do your values, principles, purpose, and dreams squarely fit within the perimeter of that shadow? If not, you may need to think long and hard about whether the organization is the right place for you. Typically, “alignment” is discussed as a top-down approach, but that boat rows both ways. If the culture isn’t a fit for you, it will take a toll on you emotionally, mentally, and even physically.

Of course, you have to know two things: 1. who you are and 2. who your leader is. Then, you have to do a little geometry to see whether the one box fits inside the other. Don’t be fooled into believing that either of those boxes will change. Life is too short. Stand in the right shadow, or cast the right one yourself.

Photo shared via creative commons license by Pete.