Leaders Step into the Struggle
Often, successful leaders hear comments such as, “Well, you’re lucky that you’ve got all these followers,” or, “You lucked out in your position,” or “If I was in your shoes… I’d be successful too.”
The truth is, leaders step up to the position, and they do it by stepping into the struggle. It’s not always easy to be a successful leader, but many make it look like it is. Successful leaders realize they are being watched. They are aware that leadership is highly visual and that followers will hold them accountable to be congruent in their actions, words and deeds. Successful leaders know they have both a right to step into a leadership role – and a duty to carry it out effectively for the people they are leading. It’s a right and a responsibility.
I believe we can all be leaders. The question is, will you be a good leader or a mediocre leader? The answer lies in the struggle. If it’s too hard to work on yourself on a day-to-day basis, to dial in, tune up, hone down your listening skills, your learning ability, your commitment to improvement and to adding value to your followers – you won’t succeed. When the struggle is too great, the weak leader walks away, the strong leader prevails.
Strong leaders step into the struggle. They seek improvement in their daily path, with an understanding leaders develop daily, not in a day. They attend workshops, read books, listen to audios – while working on their physical fitness, serving their families, businesses and communities. They build relationships and influence by adding value to others, by helping followers achieve THEIR goals. They step into the struggle knowing it’s impossible to lead people, to have influence with them, if there isn’t a solid foundation of trust, accountability, respect – that goes both ways – if there isn’t a genuine connection.
Strong leaders step into the struggle by patiently listening, by adding their human energy, enthusiasm and encouragement to others, by uplifting the hearts and hopes of their followers simply by being a great example. None of this is easy. It takes time, dedication and a constant commitment.
I often think back to when my two daughters were little – they’re grown now, I’m blessed with two sons in law and three little grand babies. Even as the leader of our family, it was a struggle. I used to comment to my husband, Gary, that it was easy to be a crummy parent, and we had many examples around, but that it’s really tough to be a good parent, to be an excellent parent. Successful parenting required continuous improvement, modification of strategies and plans, a great deal of thinking and patience, we had to always be “on” to set the best example! It would have been so much easier to be lax. But, isn’t parenting the ultimate form of leadership? We’re developing new humans! What could possibly be more important?!
As parents, we learned to be leaders by stepping into the struggle with our kids. We set boundaries and guidelines, held our children accountable and supported their growth. We listened to them. Read to them. Cared about their hurts and encouraged their joys. We lovingly corrected them when they made mistakes. We all matured and grew through temper tantrums and adolescence. Isn’t this stepping into the struggle?
Aren’t these many ways successful leaders guide their communities, organizations, schools and businesses? They step into the struggle and give of themselves, serving their followers and helping them achieve their goals. They listen, set vision, hold accountable, correct and evolve. It isn’t all foo foo wa wa, sometimes successful leaders have to fire people too. It happens. That’s also part of the struggle.
Can you luck out in life? Sure. Can you luck into successful leadership. Not usually, you’ve got to earn it by stepping into the daily struggle.
About the Author
Misty Young is Board Chair of Squeeze In Franchising, LLC, and author of the best selling book, From Rags To Restaurants: The Secret Recipe.
She and her family own a collection of restaurants in the Reno/Tahoe Region.
As a Certified Member of the John Maxwell Team, Misty supports independent restaurant owners, helping them attract success through love and gratitude — and rock solid business counsel.
Contact Misty at http://www.johncmaxwellgroup.com/mistyyoung/