In every growing organisation, middle managers become the heart of the team for a reason. They’re the bridge between leadership and frontline execution. Yet, as teams scale and priorities multiply, it’s often middle management that feels the strain the most. Processes tighten. Metrics rise. But something essential begins to slip from awareness.

One of the most powerful practices we’ve implemented lately isn't another tool or productivity hack. It’s a simple reflection exercise we call: “Observe your shadow.”

Why This Matters

Culture isn’t built in documents, onboarding decks, or offsites. It’s shaped every single day by what people see, feel, and mirror from their leaders. Especially middle managers.

And as leaders, we often forget: people are not just listening to our words, they’re watching our reactions, tone, pauses, energy, and follow-through. Whether we intend it or not, we cast a shadow. And that shadow teaches more than any manual ever could.

“Observe your shadow” became our antidote to complacency. It helps our managers stay conscious of the invisible lessons they’re passing on. It invites honesty and sharpens the lens through which we view our leadership.

How It Works

The concept is simple, but the impact is deep.

Step 1: Imagine the Shadow

Each manager is asked to imagine that a quiet, observant shadow followed them for an entire workday.

This shadow doesn’t speak. It doesn’t judge. It simply watches:

• How you show up in meetings.
• How you respond to bad news.
• How you give (or withhold) praise.
• How you listen or interrupt.
• How you support your team when things go wrong.

The purpose is not to evaluate your performance but to observe your influence.

Step 2: Group Reflection

The next day, we come together as a team and reflect. Every manager answers these two questions:

“If someone only watched how I behaved yesterday, —What would they say I value? — What would they say it feels like to work for me?”

This moment is always raw. Honest. And deeply human.

You see leaders pause. Reframe. Recognise patterns they hadn’t seen before. Not because someone pointed it out, but because they looked at themselves through a new lens.

Step 3: Personal Introspection

Next, we invite managers to journal or think through these prompts:

• What did I praise or ignore today?
• Did I guide the team with direction, or with curiosity?
• What tone did I set in stressful moments?
• What emotion did I leave my team with at the end of the day?

These questions gently uncover blind spots. Not the kind you get in performance reviews, but the subtle signals you send without realising it.

Step 4: The Deeper Takeaway

We end with this final question:

“If behaviour sets culture, what am I teaching my team?”

Because ultimately, that’s the truth of leadership.

Culture isn’t the values you write on a wall. It’s how your team feels when they see your name pop up on Slack. It’s how safe they feel after a mistake. It’s how they feel in meetings. It’s the energy they carry home.

Your shadow, the unconscious part of how you lead, speaks volumes.

And when we fail to observe it, we lose the chance to course-correct.

What We’ve Learned So Far

Since introducing this practice, we’ve noticed some big shifts:

• Managers are more self-aware in daily interactions.
• Feedback conversations are happening more frequently and more humanely.
• Team members report feeling more seen and supported.
• The entire leadership culture is moving from reactive to reflective.

All because we paused. And looked at the shadows we leave behind.

For Founders, Team Leads, and HRs Alike

If you’re growing a team, this exercise is one of the simplest ways to centre the culture conversation around people.

You don’t need any software, just an honest room and a willingness to observe.

Ask your managers to imagine their shadow. Ask yourself, too.

Because the truth is: your team doesn’t just listen to your words. They observe your leadership.

What’s one thing you do consistently with your team or manager that shapes how they feel, work, and grow?

Take a moment today to observe your own shadow, and you might just uncover the next culture shift your team needs!