Batman Has A Therapist
Have you ever wondered who leaders turn to when they’re struggling? Who do they vent to? Who do they confide in? Many times…they don’t. Leaders in business, leaders in families, leaders in communities, leaders in general have difficulties with being able to share their struggles with others. Why? Well, it’s partially their own expectations they’ve placed on themselves, but it’s also partially the expectations others place on them.
Most of the time we don’t want our leaders doubting. We don’t want them appearing vulnerable or weak. We don’t want them to be human. It’s easier sometimes to view our leaders as the Batman’s or Superwoman’s of the world. Society struggles to accept that leaders aren’t invincible.
And so, leaders can tend to take the world on alone. They quietly deal with their own struggles without sharing with others. They wear the masks and conquer the bad guys of life, and noone knows of the internal struggles they face behind the masks.
Sometimes this dynamic isn’t neccessary. There are people in our lives we can open up to. There are people we can take the masks off with. There are clergymen and women, mentors, friends, family members, and sometimes even co-workers that can handle our humanity and vulnerability. And then, of course, there are therapists.
One of the honors of being a Atlanta therapist, is being able to support leaders. In a safe, and confidential environment, I can let them vent. I can let them express their anxieties and their fears. I can help them explore their feelings. I can assist them with discussing uncertainties and figuring out what they want. Some of my clients appreciate this because they know that many people in their lives need them to appear strong and impenetrable, and they’re okay with taking on that burden. Yet still, they appreciate having a non-judgmental and unbiased Atlanta therapist they can talk about their vulnerabilities and humanity with.
What’s beautiful about this dynamic, is that when leaders are able to face their humanity, imperfection, and vulnerability, they ultimately grow. We can’t expect ourselves to be perfect. We don’t benefit from stuffing our feelings, or not addressing issues. That’s irrational. It’s not practical. Life has a way of hitting us hard, and if we ignore what’s going on, life will eventually make us face it. But if leaders are able to deal with their stuff, their baggage, their anxiety, their pain, their stress….they’re able to continue to lead.
Who’s that guy that assists Batman? That’s right, Alfred. I love being the Alfred in the world. I love the job of supporting, encouraging, calling you out on your junk, telling you when you need to relax, I love what I do! Okay, so I know Alfred isn’t a therapist, but Batman has one. Wikipedia told me. I looked it up. And, that therapist and Alfred keep Batman doing what he does best.
