Often, it seems, leaders are asked to carry an unfair load. In fact, this is one of the hallmarks of leadership. Leaders are the ones taking responsibility when everyone else waivers, leaders are the ones accepting the blame when it was actually the accumulative effect of others' involvement, leaders are the ones paying the price of going somewhere first, where many ti
mes they haven't even been themselves. Leaders take the flak, the responsibility, and the bulk of the wind resistance from being out front. For sure, leaders are put in a position of higher responsibility. They are held under higher scrutiny and loftier standards than the rest, and they are expected to have a great attitude when everyone else has failed. Leaders are expected to be the toughest, the most consistent, the strongest, the fairest, the hungriest, and the most courageous. No wonder we admire them so! And no wonder the apostle Paul had to encourage his proteges with the phrase, "never grow weary in well-doing."
If this list of requirements sounds daunting: it is. Leading is dangerous, exhausting, exposing work. So why, again, would anyone volunteer for the position?
Because!
At least that's the way my four year old would answer!
For the real answer (with apologies to my son), we must go back to the definition of a leader. As defined in the Launching a Leadership Revolution book, Orrin Woodward and I defined leadership as:
Leadership is the influence of others in a productive, vision-driven direction and is done through the example, conviction, and character of the leader.
Notice that leadership involves someone who is "vision-driven." And what causes the drive toward the vision? Conviction in the cause they pursue, and their strength of character.
What does this mean?
It means that a leader does not set out to become a leader, as such. A leader becomes a leader the moment he or she decides to act on their conviction. A leader's character is such that he or she simply can't leave well enough alone, and must do something about whatever situation confronts them. Someone in danger, a cause not making enough progress, a project that stimulates the imagination, a group of people without direction, etc. all make up the type of situations that spark a leader into action.
Once the leader realizes the situation, sees the problem to be solved, or the challenge to be embraced, he or she takes immediate initiative towards the vision. It can't be helped. It's the natural outpouring of the leader's character and vision.
So a leader is driven into a position where he or she accepts more responsibility, accepts a higher percentage of the "shots" from the "peanut gallery," and volunteers to carry an "unfair" load. Interestingly, true leaders do it willingly and with enthusiasm! Why? Because leaders come alive when they are infused with a challenge. Real leaders are overcome with joy at being called to apply their gifts to a worthwhile cause.
And what about everyone else?
Usually, "everyone else" looks at the leader with a bit of admiration, but also with a bit of curiosity. It's like looking at a dog chasing a rabbit, and then removing the rabbit from view. Without the rabbit to explain the dog's behavior, he looks mad. And for many leaders, people can't quite make out the vision the leader is chasing as clearly as the leader can. As a result, leaders look a little mad to the uninformed.
Just what is it that makes that leader behave like that? Why would anyone want to put themselves in harm's way as a leader does? What makes them tick? Isn't it better to be comfortable, play it safe, mind one's own business, and take it easy? Maybe, for some. But never for a leader. A leader carries an unfair load, and believe it or not, loves it! Why? Because what a leader does makes a difference, it matters, it changes things, and that's what a leader lives for!
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