Leaders My Leaders! I care deeply about you, your team, and your organization’s work in the world. That’s why I’m challenging you to grow into the best possible version of yourself. Your role is in fact that important. Tremendous influence and power lies in your hands. It is of the utmost important that you wield it wisely.
Let me share with you a few truths about leadership. It’s a tough business. It’s not comfortable. Nor is it supposed to be. It’s not about you. It’s about the team. It’s ALWAYS about the team. If you have to make a choice between one individual and the team, pick the team. Every. Single. Time. You are there as a human shield. You are there to absorb the hits on behalf of the team. You are there to maintain order, to inspire, educate, entertain, counsel, console, comfort, build up, look after, make sacrifices for, love, encourage, care about, and hold accountable your team. All that is on you. It’s a big job. But it’s so worth it! Guiding a group of people who share your values towards accomplishing a mission for the common good, well, that’s that the good stuff in life. For every moment their quirks drive you crazy, they’ll repay you with a thousand moments of pride at watching them grow and accomplish more than they thought possible. Become more than they thought possible. For every time the goofy troubles they get themselves into make you curse under your breath, there will be moments that take your breath away because they pulled off something amazing.
That is what it means to be a leader, to serve alongside a team. You’re there with them, and for them. In every circumstance. You’re the one they are looking to for guidance. You are the one who holds so much of their professional and personal well-being in your hands. If that doesn’t simultaneously terrify, excite, and awe you, then you have some serious work ahead of you to get your mind right. The skills of leadership can be learned. But having a good heart cannot. If your heart isn’t right towards your people and your organization, then you are on a collision course with the consequences of your bad choices. If this is you, then your only hope is to let your heart be transformed. It’s worth the work it’s going to take. We all reap what we sow. Position yourself for a bountiful harvest, not a life of bitter regrets.
Until next time, I’m praying for your strength and wisdom. 🙂