The video is a summary of the article ‘Pumpkins and Candy Houses’. The focus is Jung’s Great Mother archetype in leadership effectiveness. The video addresses the question of whether or not nurturing can go too far. The Great Mother is essential for effective transformation. As with the Ruler archetype, the Great Mother has a light and dark side — the Good Mother and the Devouring Mother.
The Good Mother nurtures and helps. As leaders they delegate, coach and create development opportunities. At their best, they allow experimentation and risk taking in a safe environment.
Devouring Mother is jealous and controlling. As leaders, they micromanage and stifle growth out of fear of being outshone by their direct reports. At their worst, Devouring Mother leaders operate under a guise of caring for others but are narcissistic, sacrificing the potential of their team for their own self-aggrandisement.
Bringing the Great Mother archetype into conscious control, so that the Devouring Mother can be managed is critical for leadership success.
Pumpkins and Candy Houses