Moving up in the chain of command sounds like a great idea.
I mean, who doesn’t want the corner office with a window view and an assistant to handle your calendar and coffee?
Isn’t higher achievements the reason why education is pushed on us?
We are only considered successful if we are climbing the “success ladder” of titles and roles and pay grades right?
Well, the misinformation we’ve come to see regarding the glamorous life of a leader is quite disturbing.
For some reason, we’ve been led to believe that once we are in charge, have a certain level of authority, and have a group of followers that we’ve “arrived”.
Being in leadership is a place where we are less responsible, less accountable, have more freedoms, and can merely delegate tasks for others to perform.
Have you ever thought of it that way?
If you have, unfortunately, the wrong picture has been painted for you.
There is a difference in management and leadership.
In his book, Tribes, Seth Godin perfectly illustrates through several great points the mindset behind how far apart being a manager and being a leader truly is.
About managers, he says, “Management is about manipulating resources to get a known job done. Managers have employees and make widgets.”
About leaders, he says, “Leadership is about creating change you believe in. Leaders have followers and make change.”
“Leadership is about creating change you believe in. Leaders have followers and make change.” - Seth Godin Click To Tweet
If you aspire to be a manager, then understand that road is easy. Through a friendship of the one that is hiring for that position, you can be a manager.
Studying in a particular field and performing well can earn you that spot.
When you get there, you’re only moving pieces around that have come with the role. You can have success and continue to advance, but if you desire to be a leader, you probably won’t be satisfied or fulfilled.
A leader doesn’t have to hold a title or position.
Yet, in order to lead, it’s not a place of prestige and glory. It’s a place of servanthood and humility.
If you desire to be a leader, there has to be something inside of you that understands it’s not about me, it’s about others.
A leader has to come to the realization that there will be a great sacrifice to obtain this status and not everyone chooses to make those sacrifices.
There are things in life that may be okay for some to do, but not for leaders.
When you are a leader, you have to give up some things in order to go up.
When you are a leader, you have to give up some things in order to go up. Click To Tweet
Leadership is hard.
Leadership is sometimes awkward.
Leadership is doing things that may not benefit you so that others can be helped.
If we begin to think that a “promotion” into leadership means that people have to listen to us and do what we say, we’re sadly mistaken.
People have to give you permission to lead them.
In leading people, you have to sit down at times and have uncomfortable conversations out of love because you care for them and want to see them succeed.
My intention is not to scare you away from leadership, but to peel back the curtain and show a few truths about it.
Here are some areas why I think you really don’t want to be a leader –
1. Words
You can’t talk like everyone else because your words carry enormous weight.
What might be innocent conversation to you otherwise, can literally build up or destroy a person when you’re a leader.
As a leader, we have to approach everyone with the belief that they can. They can improve, succeed, change, advance, etc.
When you envision that in others, what you say should direct their behavior toward those improvements.
You have to see it in them and speak it as well.
2. Actions
Your own behavior has to speak to others that you’ve made certain sacrifices in your life.
Every action of a leader needs to reflect the words we’ve spoken as well.
Being around those you lead during times of work and times of play is important. You cannot expect work to be done without contributing and just show up when it’s time to kick back, relax, and have fun.
Get your hands dirty with those that follow you and watch the level of loyalty rise.
3. Rewards
Let’s go ahead and dispell every notion of expecting a reward for your great leadership.
This isn’t sports where you can earn “coach of the year” honors and with enough positive results, you find yourself in the Hall of Fame.
Great leaders understand that if there is zero recognition, I still desire to lead for the sake of others.
Great leaders recognize that their reward comes when others achieve their dreams or overcome odds stacked against them.
If you are in it for the fame, you really don’t want to be a leader, you want to be known and that’s not what leadership is about.
4. Progress
Here’s probably the most difficult thing about being a leader.
In order to lead, you have to look into the dark forests of the unknown and forge ahead. A leader has to brave the dangerous waters to know what’s on the other side.
If you aren’t progressing before you lead others, then you don’t know which path to steer them towards.
This area of progress doesn’t mean as we travel down certain roads that we are perfect and never make mistakes, but that’s the beauty of leadership.
Whether you have made a mistake or have positive results to show from your decisions, those experiences are crucial to lay before those that follow you.
You have to go there before you can take others there.
Being a leader is hard work.
Being a great leader is humility mixed with hard work while adding intentionality.
Being a great leader is humility mixed with hard work while adding intentionality. Click To Tweet
If you look at all these areas and realize the cost is too great, then you may not be quite ready to be a leader.
But what you can do, is support your leader.
If you are ready to make these commitments, then hopefully you have a little better understanding of what you’ll be getting into.
If you’re intent on being a leader, or a better leader, then leave the “what if” behind of mediocrity and lead yourself well so you can lead others well.
What’s holding you back from being a leader? What is/are some thing(s) you would add to this list?
Comment below and share!
