Leadership Recovery (LRA)

Leadership Recovery (LRA)

step work

Step 1 – The Intern Awakens

We admitted we were powerless over our leadership persona—that our lives had become unmanageable.

Reflection Questions:

• Where have I pretended to have it together because of my title?

• How has my leadership persona gotten in the way of asking for help?

• What does "unmanageable" look like behind the staff mask?

Action:

• Write down 3 ways your life still feels unmanageable, regardless of your role.

• Share this with someone you trust who isn't impressed by your title.

Step 2 – The Assistant's Clarity

Came to believe that a Power greater than our job title could restore us to sanity.

Reflection Questions:

• Have I believed my position could "fix" my insecurities?

• What evidence shows me that true sanity comes from something greater than status?

Action:

• Define what "sanity" looks like for you today, with or without a leadership role.

Step 3 – The Coordinator's Surrender

Made a decision to turn our will and our schedules over to the care of our Higher Power.

Reflection Questions:

• Do I micromanage my schedule, others, or the recovery process?

• What happens when I try to "coordinate" everything alone?

Action:

• Take 5 minutes to sit in stillness—resist the urge to organize, control, or fix.

Step 4 – The Supervisor's Inventory

Made a searching and fearless moral inventory of ourselves (not our caseload).

Reflection Questions:

• Have I focused more on others' growth than my own?

• What defects do I hide behind "supervising" others?

Action:

• List your top 5 character defects—not as a leader, but as a person.

Step 5 – The Case Manager's Confession

Admitted to our Higher Power, to ourselves, and to another human being the exact nature of our wrongs.

Reflection Questions:

• When was the last time I admitted I was struggling, without trying to sound put-together?

• How can confession bring me relief beyond my role?

Action:

• Share one hidden struggle with your sponsor or support person.

Step 6 – The Program Director's Readiness

Were entirely ready to have our Higher Power remove all these defects of character.

Reflection Questions:

• Am I still attached to any defects because they make me feel "in control"?

• What would it look like to lead without ego or fear?

Action:

• Write down the defects you’re ready to let go of—today.

Step 7 – The Executive's Humility

Humbly asked our Higher Power to remove our shortcomings (including the illusion of control).

Reflection Questions:

• Do I confuse confidence with control?

• Where has humility served me more than authority?

Action:

• Say a short prayer asking for removal of control-based behaviors.

Step 8 – The Scheduler's List

Made a list of all persons we had harmed, and became willing to make amends to them all.

Reflection Questions:

• Have I used my title to avoid accountability?

• Who has been harmed by my actions, directly or indirectly?

Action:

• Begin writing your amends list, regardless of how "small" the harm feels.

Step 9 – The Mediator's Amends

Made direct amends to such people wherever possible, except when to do so would injure them or others.

Reflection Questions:

• What fears hold me back from making amends?

• How can I approach amends with humility, not as "the leader"?

Action:

• Choose one person from your list to begin the amends process.

Step 10 – The Monitor's Reflection

Continued to take personal inventory and when we were wrong promptly admitted it.

Reflection Questions:

• How often do I reflect on my behavior—not my title, but my character?

• Can I admit I'm wrong without fearing loss of respect?

Action:

• Do a daily 3-minute inventory: "What did I do well? Where did I slip? Where can I grow?"

Step 11 – The Director's Connection

Sought through prayer and meditation to improve our conscious contact with our Higher Power.

Reflection Questions:

• Do I seek spiritual connection or rely on position and routine?

• How has quiet time improved my leadership and my humanity?

Action:

• Spend 10 minutes today in silent prayer or meditation, focusing on connection, not control.

Step 12 – The Mentor's Awakening

Having had a spiritual awakening as the result of these steps, we tried to carry this message to others, and to practice these principles in all our affairs (without the staff badge ego).

Reflection Questions:

• How can I lead by example rather than position?

• Who in my life could benefit from my humility, not my authority?

Action:

• Carry the message today—not the badge. Offer support, not status.

step zero

Step 0 – The Volunteer Realization

“Before the title, before the responsibility, there was the reason I walked in the door.”

What is Step 0 for LRA (Leadership Recovery Anonymous)?

Step 0 is the quiet, often uncomfortable moment where we realize the leadership role didn’t fix us—it exposed us. It’s the realization that standing at the podium, holding the keys, being on the schedule, or sitting behind a desk does not mean we’ve arrived. It means we’re still in the same battle as the people we serve.

This is the "Why am I here?" moment—without the job description.

Step 0 Statement

We recognized that accepting a leadership role or title did not remove our addiction, character defects, or emotional struggles. We admitted we are still in recovery and that no position exempts us from healing.

Step 0 Reflections

• What made me take on a leadership role in recovery?

• Have I ever thought the title would "fix" me or make me feel worthy?

• In what ways has leadership exposed my defects instead of hiding them?

• Am I willing to stay teachable, even when others look to me for guidance?

• Can I accept that being a "leader" does not mean I’m done growing?

Step 0 Action

• Write down your original reason for stepping into leadership.

• List the expectations you had of yourself because of that role.

• Circle the expectations that were unrealistic or based in ego.

• Share with a trusted person how you’re still a work in progress—title or not.

Step 0 Reminder Slogan

"I am not my title—I am my willingness to grow."

12 steps

1. The Intern Awakens – We admitted we were powerless over our leadership persona—that our lives had become unmanageable.

2. The Assistant's Clarity – Came to believe that a Power greater than our job title could restore us to sanity.

3. The Coordinator's Surrender – Made a decision to turn our will and our schedules over to the care of our Higher Power.

4. The Supervisor's Inventory – Made a searching and fearless moral inventory of ourselves (not our caseload).

5. The Case Manager's Confession – Admitted to our Higher Power, to ourselves, and to another human being the exact nature of our wrongs.

6. The Program Director's Readiness – Were entirely ready to have our Higher Power remove all these defects of character.

7. The Executive's Humility – Humbly asked our Higher Power to remove our shortcomings (including the illusion of control).

8. The Scheduler's List – Made a list of all persons we had harmed, and became willing to make amends to them all.

9. The Mediator's Amends – Made direct amends to such people wherever possible, except when to do so would injure them or others.

10. The Monitor's Reflection – Continued to take personal inventory and when we were wrong promptly admitted it.

11. The Director's Connection – Sought through prayer and meditation to improve our conscious contact with our Higher Power.

12. The Mentor's Awakening – Having had a spiritual awakening as the result of these steps, we tried to carry this message to others, and to practice these principles in all our affairs (without the staff badge ego).

13th Step Safeguard

Beware of using your "authority role" to manipulate, flirt, or control vulnerable people in recovery. Leadership is service, not status.

12 Traditions

1. Our common welfare should come first; personal roles depend on unity.

2. For our group purpose, there is but one ultimate authority—a loving Higher Power; our titles are temporary.

3. The only requirement for membership is a desire to recover, not a resume.

4. Each group should be autonomous, except in matters affecting other groups or the fellowship as a whole.

5. Our primary purpose is to carry the message to the addict who still suffers, not to micromanage.

6. A group ought never endorse, finance, or lend the LRA name to outside enterprises—no job offers here.

7. Every group ought to be fully self-supporting, declining outside funding (or promotions).

8. LRA should remain forever non-professional, but our service positions may rotate.

9. LRA ought never be organized, but we may create committees to keep things running.

10. LRA has no opinion on outside issues; hence, the LRA name ought never be drawn into controversy.

11. Our public relations policy is based on attraction rather than promotion.

12. Anonymity is the spiritual foundation of all our traditions, ever reminding us that titles do not define us.

12 Promises

1. We will lose the desire to manage everyone’s recovery.

2. We will intuitively know when to offer guidance and when to be quiet.

3. We will no longer believe our worth depends on our title.

4. Fear of losing control will leave us.

5. We will comprehend true humility.

6. We will know peace even when things feel chaotic.

7. We will suddenly realize our position doesn’t exempt us from growth.

8. Our leadership persona will soften.

9. The weight of false responsibility will lift.

10. We will understand service over status.

11. Gratitude for others’ growth will replace resentment.

12. We will know freedom within leadership.

Slogans

• “Position doesn’t equal progress.”

• “Service, not status.”

• “Badge off, humanity on.”

• “Manage the meeting, not the people.”

• “We are all still learning.”

Acronyms

• STAFF – Still Trying to Accept Flaws Fully

• ROLE – Reminder: Our Leadership’s Evolving

• LRA – Leaders Recovering Anonymously

• SHIFT – Surrender Humility Instead of False Titles

Serenity Prayer

Higher Power, grant me the serenity to accept that I don’t have all the answers, the courage to serve without ego, and the wisdom to remember I’m still human too.

Additional Prayers

1. Help me admit I can’t lead without healing.

2. Let me believe recovery is bigger than me.

3. I surrender my leadership and my will.

4. Give me courage to see myself honestly.

5. Help me confess my truths with humility.

6. Make me ready to let go of unhealthy patterns.

7. Remove my defects that block true service.

8. Let me acknowledge my harm to others.

9. Give me grace to make amends where possible.

10. Keep me aware of my flaws daily.

11. Deepen my connection with you, Higher Power.

12. Help me guide others by example, not by title.

What Needs to Be Talked About:

Leadership in recovery often becomes a false badge of security. This program reminds us that no matter our role—intern, staff, house manager—we are still recovering. Power trips, burnout, boundary issues, and imposter syndrome thrive in these spaces. Acceptance, humility, and forgiveness free us to lead by example, not ego.

How This Program Can Help:

LRA helps addicts in leadership roles stay grounded. It prevents us from using our titles as a hiding place from our defects. It invites real connection, humility, and service—even when we feel pressure to have it all together.

Categorized

• Recovery Leadership Programs – Primary category; this is for those in house leadership or staff roles working on themselves.

• Service & Responsibility Recovery – Fits here as it focuses on responsible leadership without ego.

• Halfway House Support Programs – Natural extension of HHHA for those leading or assisting within halfway houses.

Alternative Program Name Ideas

Leadership/Staff-Themed Recovery Names

1. Position Without Permission (PWP)We held positions, but our recovery needed permission from honesty.

2. Badge-Free Recovery (BFR)Recovery doesn’t require a title — only willingness.

3. Title Isn’t Transformation (TIT)Because status isn’t the same as healing.

4. Leaders Anonymous (LA)Even leaders need to recover — probably more than most.

5. Role Reality Recovery (RRR)The reality behind the role — it’s still recovery.

6. Behind the Badge Anonymous (BTBA)What happens when the badge comes off? We heal.

7. Leadership Ego Anonymous (LEA)Ego checks in, humility checks out — unless we recover.

8. The Staff Still Struggle (SSS)Staff or not, the struggle is real.

9. Authority Isn’t Immunity (AII)Having authority doesn’t mean you’re exempt from the work.

10. Positioned to Recover (PTR)Positioned for leadership, but destined for healing.

More Playful or Edgy Options

11. Committee for Human Mess-Ups (CHM)All staff, still human, still messing up, still recovering.

12. Bosses Anonymous (BA2)Because even the "bosses" need to get out of their own way.

13. Head of Household Humility (HHH)Even the head needs to bow to the process.

14. Recovery Room Key Holders (RRKH)We hold keys — but recovery holds us.

15. Title Doesn't Equal Triumph (TDT)Your title isn’t your transformation.