Dependency, A Psychodynamic Perspective on Leadership

This is part two of my exploration into dependency, and this time I’m approaching it through a psychodynamic lens. I reflect on how our earliest experiences of care and survival shape the way we relate to dependency as adults, and how those patterns quietly show up in leadership, teams, and organisations.I also share some personal reflections on how dependency can surface under pressure, why some leaders lean into counter dependency, and how stress can pull us back into old relational patterns. This episode is an invitation to notice where dependency may be helping you lead more effectively, and where it might be getting in the way.Highlights: (01:10) Why dependency is a developmental stage for all of us (02:45) How early caregiving shapes secure or insecure dependency (04:40) What happens to dependency under stress and pressure (06:30) Counter dependency as a defence against vulnerability (08:10) How dependency dynamics play out in leadership roles (09:40) A reflective question for your own leadership practiceConnect with Emma:LinkedInWebsiteThis Podcast is proudly produced by Wavemakers Audio