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There’s a quiet revolution happening in psychology. A shift from merely treating symptoms of distress to exploring the core questions of existence. Enter existential psychotherapy. A field influenced by the works of Jean-Paul Sartre, Albert Camus, and Viktor Frankl. Unlike traditional therapy, which often focuses on pathology, existential psychotherapy dives headfirst into the deep, messy questions that keep us up at night: Why am I here? What’s my purpose? How do I navigate a life that often feels so chaotic and random?
This approach doesn’t sugarcoat reality. It acknowledges that life can be absurd. That suffering is inevitable, That meaning is something we must actively create rather than passively discover. It’s precisely this raw and honesty approach that makes existential psychotherapy so powerful. It doesn’t seek to fix us. It empowers us to navigate the unfixable. To embrace the freedom and responsibility of crafting a meaningful life.
I know this sounds lofty, but consider the practical implications. In a world where the lines between work, identity, and purpose blur more than ever, existentialism and what we can take from it can offer us a roadmap for personal growth – and your leadership style. Let’s dive into the works of Sartre, Camus, and Frankl to uncover insights that can guide us through the chaos. I don’t know what typ of chaos you have to deal with in your life. Or what particular opinion you have about what is happening in your part of the world. What I do know is that beneath it all you want a life that is meaningful. Let’s start with what Satre has to say.
Jean-Paul Sartre, was one of the most influential existentialist philosophers of the 20th century. He had a knack for confronting the uncomfortable truths of the human condition. His work wasn’t only about abstract ideas. It was a direct challenge to the way people understood their existence. At the heart of Sartre’s philosophy lies the concept of radical freedom. He argued that life has no inherent meaning. No divine blueprint, and no cosmic guide to follow. For Sartre, this wasn’t a bleak realization but an empowering one. It meant that humans are not bound by predetermined destinies or external forces. Instead, they hold the ultimate responsibility for crafting their own essence through their actions.
Sartre’s views on psychology are deeply intertwined with his existentialist beliefs. He rejected deterministic notions that reduced human behavior to unconscious drives or environmental influences, as seen in Feruds psychoanalysis or behavioral psychology. Instead, Sartre emphasized the active role of human consciousness in shaping reality. In his magnum opus Being and Nothingness, Sartre introduces the idea that consciousness is fundamentally free. That our choices are what define us. This perspective turned traditional psychology on its head. Rather than being defined by past experiences or inherent traits, Sartre believed we are defined by what we choose to do. In the present.
The Weight of Freedom
In Existentialism is a Humanism, Sartre described humans as “condemned to be free”. A phrase that encapsulates the dual nature of existential freedom. On the one hand, freedom liberates us from the constraints of destiny or fate. On the other, it burdens us with the full responsibility for our lives. There’s no external force to blame. No higher power dictating our choices. Every decision we make is ours alone. This freedom can be overwhelming. Leading to what Sartre referred to as “anguish”. A deep awareness of the weight of our decisions.
But Sartre didn’t see this anguish as something to be avoided. On the contrary, he saw it as a necessary part of the human experience. Anguish forces us to confront the reality of our freedom. It compels us to take ownership of our lives. For Sartre, the worst thing we could do is fall into what he called “bad faith”. The act of denying our freedom by blaming external circumstances, societal norms, or other people for our choices. Bad faith, Sartre argued, is a self-deception that keeps us from living authentically.
This perspective has profound implications for both personal and professional life. It means that even when external conditions seem insurmountable (economic uncertainty, a failed venture, or a strained relationship) we are not powerless. Sartre reminds us that while we can’t always control the circumstances we face, we can always control how we respond to them. This is freedom in its purest form. A challenge and a gift.
Sartre’s emphasis on freedom and responsibility has deeply influenced contemporary psychology. Particularly in areas like existential psychotherapy and humanistic psychology. Therapists who draw on Sartre’s ideas encourage their clients to confront uncomfortable truths about their lives, acknowledge their agency, and take responsibility for their decisions. For leaders, this philosophy serves as a powerful reminder: you are not defined by external pressures or past failures. Every moment offers a chance to redefine yourself. To choose differently, and to act with purpose.
Entrepreneurs and leaders are constantly faced with high-stakes decisions. They shape not only their own paths but also the futures of their teams and organizations. Sartre’s philosophy provides a grounding framework: embrace the freedom you have, accept the responsibility it entails, and take bold action in defining your values and vision. In doing so, you not only create meaning for yourself but also inspire others to find their own.
Think about that. There’s no script, no “destiny.” Every action you take is a declaration of what matters to you. It’s a double-edged sword. Terrifying in its weight, yet exhilarating in its potential.
As an entrepreneur or leader, Sartre’s philosophy is both grounding and liberating. Don’t get stuck in the past or overwhelmed by decisions that feel monumental. You are not defined by one failed product launch or a poor quarter. Each day presents a fresh opportunity to reshape your narrative, to decide what kind of leader you want to be, and to act accordingly.
While Sartre challenges us to create meaning, Albert Camus invites us to lean into the absurdity of the human condition. To find meaning in the struggle itself. In The Myth of Sisyphus, Camus examines the ancient Greek myth of Sisyphus. A figure condemned by the gods to endlessly roll a massive boulder up a hill, only to watch it tumble back down each time he nears the top. On the surface, it’s a tale of relentless futility. A metaphor for the cyclical, often repetitive nature of life’s challenges. Yet, rather than succumbing to despair, Camus flips the narrative. He suggests that we must imagine Sisyphus happy. His rebellion and his meaning, are found in the act of pushing the boulder itself.
Camus’ philosophy is rooted in the idea that life is inherently absurd. There’s no grand design or ultimate purpose to uncover. The universe doesn’t owe us answers. The lack of meaning can be both freeing and terrifying. But within that absurdity lies an opportunity. Sisyphus, knowing full well the outcome of his efforts, finds freedom. Not in the result but in his defiance of his fate. He chooses to push the boulder, to embrace the struggle, and to find joy in the act of living fully. In that moment. For Camus, this is the ultimate rebellion. To live with purpose and vitality in a world that offers no guarantees or certainties.
In a modern context, Camus’ ideas resonate deeply with those facing repetitive challenges. Whether in personal growth or professional endeavors. His work reminds us that meaning isn’t always found in the outcome. Forget success or failure. Focus on the effort itself. For leaders and entrepreneurs, it’s a call to shift perspective. To see the act of striving, problem-solving, and pushing through obstacles not as a burden but as the very essence of a purposeful life. Your life.
This isn’t nihilism. It’s a celebration of resilience. For Camus, meaning isn’t found in the destination but in the journey. In the grit and determination it takes to face life’s challenges head-on.
Running a business often feels like pushing a boulder uphill. There will always be setbacks. Team conflicts, market downturns, failed pitches. Camus teaches us to find pride and purpose in the act of striving itself. Celebrate the effort. Not just the outcome. Instill this mindset in your team. The struggle isn’t just a hurdle. It’s where growth happens.
Viktor Frankl’s Man’s Search for Meaning offers a hopeful counterpoint to Sartre and Camus’ existential views. If Sartre highlights the weight of freedom and Camus embraces the absurd, Frankl roots his philosophy in the very real and unimaginable suffering life can sadly offer us. As a survivor of Nazi concentration camps, Frankl saw humanity stripped to its barest form. Possessions, status, and even loved ones could be taken away. Leaving only the core of one’s being. It was in these brutal conditions that Frankl observed a universal truth. Even when everything else is lost, we retain the power to choose our response.
Frankl’s philosophy, logotherapy, is a powerful framework for understanding his concept. Unlike Freud, who saw pleasure as the central motivator, or Adler, who emphasized the quest for power, Frankl believed that the primary human drive is the pursuit of meaning. He discovered that those who survived the camps often clung to a sense of purpose. What drove them was the hope of reuniting with loved ones, completing unfinished work, or simply maintaining their dignity in the face of dehumanization. Meaning, could be found in the smallest of moments. A shared piece of bread, a fleeting memory of home, or the act of comforting another prisoner.
What makes Frankl’s work so meaningful is its application to everyday life. Logotherapy isn’t about grand epiphanies or existential breakthroughs. It’s about finding meaning in the ordinary and the mundane. Frankl teaches that meaning isn’t something we passively discover. It’s something we actively create. Whether through love, work, or even how we endure suffering. Every moment carries the potential for purpose. For leaders and individuals alike, Frankl’s insights are a reminder that no matter how bleak the circumstances, we hold the power to define our narrative. Finding meaning in the choices we make.
For Frankl, meaning is found in three ways. Through work or a creative act, through love and relationships, and through the attitude we adopt toward unavoidable suffering. Even when everything else is stripped away, our freedom to choose our response to it all is still ours.
Leadership isn’t just about hitting targets. It’s about creating a shared sense of purpose. Show your team that their work contributes to something greater. When challenges arise, frame them as opportunities to learn and grow. And most importantly, embody Frankl’s wisdom by focusing on what you can control. Your mindset, your actions, your ability to inspire others.
Existential philosophy may seem abstract, but its principles are remarkably practical. Especially for leaders navigating today’s absurdities. Here’s how to turn these insights into action:
1. Define and Redefine Your Purpose
Purpose isn’t a one-and-done deal. It evolves as you grow and as circumstances change. Regularly revisit your personal “why”. Your organization’s mission. Are they aligned? Do they resonate with your values and those of your team?
2. Empower Your Team to Find Their Own Meaning
Encourage team members to see their roles as part of a larger narrative. It may be creating products that solve real-world problems or contributing to a culture of innovation. Help them connect their work to something meaningful.
3. Embrace the Journey, Not Just the Destination
Setbacks aren’t failures. They’re stepping stones. Celebrate every effort as an act of perseverance, not just results. This builds resilience. Fostering a culture where creativity and risk-taking thrive.
Fast-forward to today, and the principles of Sartre, Camus, and Frankl are echoed in modern research. Studies show that people who perceive their lives as meaningful report higher levels of well-being, resilience, and job satisfaction. But where does this sense of meaning come from?
- Purpose and Contribution: Research published in Psychological Science found that people derive meaning from contributing to something larger than themselves. Whether it’s a community, a cause, or an organization.
- The Role of Struggle: A study in Frontiers in Psychology highlighted the concept of “post-traumatic growth”. The idea that adversity can lead to deeper self-awareness and a stronger sense of purpose.
- Mindset and Reframing: Studies in cognitive behavioral therapy emphasize the power of reframing challenges as opportunities. This aligns perfectly with Frankl’s notion of finding meaning in suffering.
The philosophies of Sartre, Camus, and Frankl are more than intellectual exercises. They’re blueprints for navigating the complexities of modern life. They remind us that meaning isn’t handed to us. It’s created through our choices, our struggles, and our relationships.
As a leader, your ability to embrace these principles doesn’t just impact your own journey. It shapes the culture and trajectory of your organization. Prioritize purpose, celebrate resilience, and model a mindset of growth. When you do, you inspire your team to do the same.
Life may not come with build in meaning and a manual, but that’s the beauty of it. You have the freedom to write your own story. To push your own boulder, and to choose your response to whatever life throws your way. And in that choice lies not just survival. You might find a life of depth, richness, and meaning.
