How Shadow Impacts Business

For the past 25 years, I’ve dedicated myself to studying deep change work to uncover the most effective ways to create significant impact. 'Turning Within' (TW)?is an advanced human development practice that has had dramatic effects on those suffering from debilitating shadows caused by various forms of suffering. It was specifically forged in the hardest places to elicit lasting change. But it isn’t just a harm reduction technique. It was designed to have implications across all levels of human interaction. I've spent over a decade working with thousands of success-focused business leaders to study the impact of shadow in business. Shadow is caused by the unknown patterns and strategies running unconsciously in our lives. Because business is the interaction of humans, practicing 'Turning Within' in business can have profound implications.

?? Consciously Navigating Business Challenges ??

In the fast-paced business world, leaders navigate a complex landscape of opportunities and challenges. Our brains process information like a computer's CPU, while our minds act as the software shaping our reality. However, our conscious awareness is just the tip of the iceberg. Below the surface lies the realm of shadow—deep programming that drives our experiences without our awareness. This complex system directs every facet of human experience, and this is where Turning Within becomes crucial.

??? Your Brain as a Computer ???

Imagine your brain as a computer and your mind as the software that runs it. Now, consider what happens when your system is infected with a virus that stealthily steals resources. Your computer struggles to execute tasks efficiently, leading to slow response times or errors. Similarly, our minds can be infiltrated by shadows, whispering toxic beliefs like "I'm not good enough" or "no one will love me," which can cripple our confidence and hinder success in our professional endeavors. Turning Within helps us identify and neutralize these harmful beliefs.

?? Five Core Fears ??

We all wrestle with five core fears:

1. I'm not enough – Stemming from helplessness as a baby.
2. You're not going to love me – Originating from the fear of being left alone.
3. If you leave me, I'll die – A tribal wound, fear of abandonment or exile.
4. I will be trapped or smothered – Related to the birthing process.
5. I am rejected or an outcast – Also tied to the birthing process and Stanislav Grof's work on The Four Matrices of Birth.

Which of these fears shows up in your day-to-day life? How do they show up professionally? Identify the story you tell yourself that steals your joy. "I tell myself that..."

• Which fear is at the root of this story?
• Where else in your life does this fear operate?
• What happens when an entire company starts to believe a story that is not reality?

Turning Within can help you uncover and transform these limiting beliefs.

?? Impact on Businesses ??

For businesses, the impact of shadow can be profound. Research from "Billion Dollar Lessons" by Paul B. Carroll and Chunka Mui reveals that between 1981 and 2007, nearly 425 U.S. companies with assets over $500 million filed for bankruptcy. Over 250 publicly traded companies wrote off well over $350 billion in losses during the same period. That's a staggering $350 billion! But what's even more alarming is the reason behind these catastrophic losses. Many of these failures can be attributed to decisions made under the influence of unconscious fears and biases. For instance, a company might have ignored warning signs of a failing product line because of a fear of change, or a leader might have resisted a necessary reorganization due to a fear of losing control.

Approximately 45% of those losses were due to poor awareness of the reality surrounding them. In essence, they were heading east, looking for a sunset. No matter how efficiently they operated, they were destined for failure. A significant portion of the remaining losses could have been mitigated with better awareness from the start.

?? Conscious and Integrated Leadership ??

Creating a successful business strategy requires a clear understanding of where you stand, where you want to go, and the landscape you must traverse to get there. This is where shadow becomes a critical factor. It lurks in the deep consciousness, shaping our decisions and actions without conscious awareness. This is why companies often repeat the same mistakes, unable to break free from the limitations imposed by their shadows. Turning Within equips leaders with the tools to gain this clarity.

Having worked with numerous business leaders and companies, I have witnessed firsthand how shadow can cause damage. The consequences can be dire when business decisions are based on fear, poor awareness, or unclear understanding. Executives must understand where they are blind, develop tools to mitigate the blind spot, and strategically manage the culture and company. One client estimated their abandonment shadow cost over 3 million in lost revenue and operating costs. That's a large number, no matter how large your business is.

The ever-changing landscape of today's business world demands a strategy based on real insight, a map tailored to your unique situation, outcomes, and surroundings. This self-awareness empowers leaders to take control of their decisions and actions, giving them the power to shape their own success.

To thrive in this rapidly shifting landscape, leaders must tend to their shadows and develop new skills to see further. Today's companies need to be more alert to shifts and be able to act quickly. Learning to unlearn the unconscious programming that drives their actions allows them to navigate the dynamic terrain with more foresight and agility. That frees up their resources to respond to opportunities instead of being limited to reacting when it becomes problematic. The successful companies of the future will be those who can anticipate and implement faster and more effectively than ever before. This adaptability will make them resilient and prepared for whatever the future holds, ensuring they are ready to face any challenge that comes their way.

?? Shadow Comes Online When You Least Want It ??

Shadows show up at the most inopportune moments. I've supported several business owners through the sales process. The shadows that kick up as the leader learns to let go of the identification of what the business means to them and their existence can be debilitating and cost the sale. Understanding how shadows work can create an unfair advantage.

As barriers to entry in every industry continue to dissolve, companies cannot rest on the laurels of yesterday's achievements. Instead, they can drive disruptive innovation or be driven by it to be a leader. Shadow work removes the barriers to unlocking genius across all levels. It opens up the floodgates by identifying the hidden opportunities in shadow. The ability to adapt and innovate will be the key to securing a place in the future. Embracing shadow work as a collective, we can foster the evolution of our collective consciousness and rise to the challenges that lie ahead. Let us step into the light and uncover the untapped potential that awaits us by reclaiming our genius from shadow, leading to a future full of growth and development.