I am not a medical professional and, I mean no disrespect to anyone who is living with real schizophrenia. What I am talking about here is a phenomenon that I see everywhere I go, with leaders of all ages, experience and cultures. I call it: ‘Leadership Schizophrenia.’
What is it and what does it mean?
I hear multiple leaders tell me that they are living a dual life. They will explain that they are a different person at home than they are at work. I see it all the time. I even suffered from it earlier in my leadership life. Usually, Leadership Schizophrenia shows itself in the form of one being incredibly authentic and true to ourselves at home with friends and family and then we change into someone else when we are at work. In fact, friends and family may not even recognize you in the work environment. You change the way you talk, act and behave. A real-life Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde!
What is going on?
Speaking from experience, when I suffered from Leadership Schizophrenia, I truly thought that in order to get things done, impress my manager and get promoted, that I had to behave in a certain way – however most of the time, I was emulating my manager’s behaviour. Who was most likely emulating their manager’s behaviour… and up the chain it goes. What was detrimental about this, was that I was not honoring my values, my strengths and who I truly was, because I thought I had to be someone else. Most of the time it is all quite unconscious as well.
Here’s what I recommend:
Have a talk with yourself. If you are changing the person you are, to fit into some type of perceived role you have to play, ask yourself “Why?” If someone is forcing you to play that role, you are in the wrong organization. Find a way to divorce yourself from the organization quickly! If it’s your ego that’s causing it, know that you’re not fooling anyone – because everyone around you knows you’re ‘acting.’ Leadership Schizophrenia can be cured. It starts with your awareness of it. Then the awareness, helps you to make better decisions and act in ways that align with who you really are.
