Ghosts in the Boardroom, Exorcising the Haunts of Leadership
Written by Santarvis Brown, Leadership Engineer
Dr. Santarvis Brown has spent 15+ years serving as a leader, innovator, and changemaker in education, showcasing in-depth insight as an administrator, educator, and program director.
Halloween brings out images of restless spirits and haunted mansions, but the truth is, many leaders face their own ghosts every day. They aren’t transparent figures in sheets, they’re the invisible fears and assumptions that haunt boardrooms and undermine decision-making.
The real question is not whether ghosts exist, but whether leaders will continue to let them rule.
1. The ghost of “we’ve always done it this way”
This is the most insidious specter in organizational life. It clings to tradition like cobwebs in a dark hallway. Whenever innovation arises, this ghost whispers, “That’s not how we do things here.” Leaders who give in to this haunting trap their organizations in stagnation. To exorcise it, leaders must challenge entrenched practices and reward curiosity. Every bold step forward chips away at this ghost’s power.
2. The phantom of past failures
Every leader carries scars. A botched project, a failed initiative, or a strategic misstep can linger like a ghostly echo. But when leaders allow past failures to dictate future actions, they give power to what no longer exists. Failure should be a guide, not a ghost. The way to silence this phantom is through learning, cataloging the lessons, honoring the growth, and releasing the fear. A ghost cannot harm you if you refuse to turn back and feed it.
3. The shadow of doubt
Few things haunt leaders like the quiet whisper. You’re not enough. This shadow thrives in silence and grows stronger when leaders isolate themselves. Transparency is the cure. Doubt loses power when leaders acknowledge vulnerability and surround themselves with trusted advisors who speak the truth. What we call “imposter syndrome” is simply a shadow, it looks larger than life, but it vanishes when the lights of openness and community shine on it.
4. Exorcising with purpose
The strongest way to drive ghosts from the boardroom is not with denial, but with purpose. Purpose clarifies decisions, sharpens vision, and fills the room with energy that shadows cannot survive. A leader grounded in a compelling mission leaves little space for fear to fester. Purpose is the torch that illuminates the haunted hallways of leadership, ensuring no ghost lingers for long.
The big takeaway
Ghosts may visit, but they don’t have to stay. The best leaders name their haunts, confront them, and replace them with purpose, clarity, and courage. In the end, leadership is less about pretending the boardroom isn’t haunted and more about learning how to banish what doesn’t belong there.
The ghosts of fear, doubt, and failure only have power if we leave the lights off. Leaders who choose purpose flip the switch, and when the lights come on, every haunting vanishes. The message is simple, don’t be the leader who hides from the ghosts, be the one who casts them out.
Santarvis Brown, Leadership Engineer
Dr. Santarvis Brown has spent 15+ years serving as a leader, innovator, and changemaker in education, showcasing in-depth insight as an administrator, educator, and program director. A noted speaker, researcher, and full professor, he has lent his speaking talent to many community and educational forums, serving as a keynote speaker. He has also penned several publications tackling issues in civic service, faith, leadership, and education.
