What Happens to Your Leadership Quality After Trauma and Social Injustice?

I was a proud leader during my school days, serving as class captain from Grade 1 to Grade 10. Leadership came naturally to me, and I believed it would shape my future. However, as I grew older, the world around me clashed with my ideals. Coming from a lower-middle-class, non-political family, I often faced disrespect for my exceptional beliefs and choices in the community in my motherland.

But I was a rebel. I continuously fought against irrational barriers in my community—not to harm anyone but to stand for what I believed in. Those battles left me bruised, metaphorically speaking, but I survived, driven by my convictions.

When I entered the professional world, things became more complex. Staying true to my principles led me into a storm of social injustice. One incident, so profoundly hurtful, felt like a "social rape"—a metaphor for the violation of my dignity and values. For 12 long years after that "social rape", I fought for justice, only to be met with silence. The struggle took a toll on my health and spirit. Eventually, I decided to retire and leave that society, worn out and disillusioned.

Later, I reflected on my journey in a more humane environment abroad. Despite the better surroundings, I couldn’t find the leadership spark I once had. It felt as though those skills had vanished. I asked myself: What happened to the confident leader I was? The answer through my research was as follows:

"Experiencing intense social-psychological assault and facing a lack of justice or support from the community can profoundly impact a person's leadership attitude and overall approach to their role.

While individual responses vary, here are some potential effects:

Loss of Trust in Systems and People - Skepticism: They may mistrust institutions, authority figures, or community structures that fail to provide justice or support.

Guardedness: This mistrust can extend to relationships with colleagues or team members, leading to a more cautious or defensive leadership style.

Shift in Leadership Style - Hyper-vigilance: They may become more detail-oriented and controlling, striving to avoid vulnerabilities in any system they oversee.

Empathy-Driven Leadership: Conversely, they might become more empathetic and compassionate, channelling their pain into creating safer and more supportive environments for others.

Avoidance of Conflict: Some may shy away from assertive decision-making or confronting issues, fearing backlash or invalidation.

Emotional Impact on Decision-Making - Lower Confidence: Feelings of shame, anger, or inadequacy might erode self-confidence, making it harder to take decisive actions.

Fear of Judgment: They may hesitate to take risks or voice strong opinions, fearing criticism or rejection reminiscent of their past experiences.

Burnout: The emotional toll of trauma combined with leadership responsibilities can lead to exhaustion and withdrawal.

Drive to Create Change Advocacy and Activism: Some may channel their experience into championing systemic reform, raising awareness about injustice, and fostering change in their community or organization.

Focus on Justice: They might prioritize fairness, inclusivity, and accountability in their leadership and use their position to prevent others from experiencing similar harm.

Possible Withdrawal from Leadership - Disengagement: Trauma and perceived betrayal can make people hesitant to remain in leadership roles or withdraw entirely from public-facing responsibilities.

Reassessment of Priorities: They might reevaluate their career or leadership aspirations, prioritizing healing and personal well-being over professional ambition.

Supportive Steps: Trauma-informed support, therapy, and a trusted network can help individuals navigate these challenges. With the right resources, they may eventually integrate their experiences into a leadership approach that reflects resilience, purpose, and authenticity."

When injustice compounds personal trauma, it can undermine the strongest leadership qualities. Trust erodes, confidence wavers, and sometimes, people withdraw entirely. Yet, for some, this pain fuels a new kind of leadership rooted in empathy and a drive for justice.

Through my experiences, I believe, healing and growth are possible, even after profound betrayal. Leadership isn’t lost; it transforms. With the proper support, it can return stronger and more meaningful than ever.

#leadership, #trauma, #injustice