How many times have you seen a leader you look up to and admire become so frustrated they want to quit altogether? It happens all the time. The key is, significant leaders DON’T throw in the towel. Is significant leadership easy? No. Far from it.The Colonel said, “Leadership is not supposed to be comfortable, kid. It’s supposed to challenge you, frustrate you, keep you on your toes and force you to grow.”
Throughout my career, I have always pushed myself to obtain a leadership position. There have been a few times, though, when I have wondered why I do it. The first time I was ready to throw in the towel altogether, I called Dad. He was not nearly as sympathetic as I hoped he would be. He didn’t offer me condolences for my wounded feelings or coddle me in any manner. He did, on the other hand, offer me empathy. Leadership is hard, he agreed—and nobody ever said it would be easy.
He encouraged me to look at the other side of the coin. If no one was willing to be uncomfortable in leadership, there would be no rudder for the ship to point the direction, guide the path, and keep everyone enthusiastic about the destination. The German philosopher Friedrich Nietzsche said, “That which doesn’t kill us makes us stronger.” Although I really hated it every time The Colonel repeated that quote, there is merit in it. Allowing yourself to be frustrated and challenged—sticking through it and coming out on the other side—hones your leadership skills so that next time, the same situation will not be quite so challenging or quite so frustrating.
Where would you be if the leaders who shaped your life and career had just quit when they became frustrated or the leadership road became hard? Leadership is not easy. It’s not comfortable. It is incredibly rewarding.
Read Lauren’s Whitepaper on The Nine Essentials of Significant Leadership.