This Halloween, I re-watched two of my favorite horror films, Get Out and Sinners. I’m normally not big on the genre, but these films have stayed with me. While watching these creative masterpieces, though different, my thought was the same: the scariest part about these stories is how art imitates life.
Most of us have lived through one or more versions of these movies:
-The retreat where you’re trapped for 3 days with a team that insists on making endless comments about your hair
-That feeling of being betrayed by the coworker who you thought you could trust because you shared a common identity
-Realizing that even with your credentials, you are still fighting the same battles of being overworked and underpaid
-Living through your boss’ inappropriate comments about your looks or your body, and a look that lingers just a bit too long
-The life events, relationships, and health stolen from being chained to your desk for thousands of hours each year
These stories give a new meaning to “Sunday scaries.”
After living through a few of my own nightmare leaders, I’ve learned that work experiences sometimes feel just like the horror movies:
-Racing heartbeat
-Feelings of panic before meetings
-Looking away from the screen because you’re afraid of what’s coming
-Keeping you awake at night
-Having you on the edge of your seat
-Afraid of what will pop out next and get you
And while good art lingers, our work stress stays with us long after the credits scroll.
This level of recovery takes intentional investment in healing to help you fight your fears and reclaim your sense of confidence as a leader.
And while the vocational vampires are real—sometimes the call is coming from inside the house.
My goal as a coach is to help you build a resistance to both. You don’t have to figure out your escape route alone.
Which of these movies have YOU lived through? 👆🏽