The Job of a Leader

I find being a leader rather challenging.  Oh, not because of what would most likely be the obvious reasons of having to get up in front of people, or having the necessary management skills, or even for taking the heat of difficult decisions.

No, I find it rather challenging to be a leader because leadership changes a person, and if you're not careful, what you change into makes you no longer qualified to be a leader.

For me, if you are a leader, you better do an excellent job, or get out of the position.  Now I know there are many leaders out there who are not good ones.  But when it comes to myself, there is a fine line between doing a good job and being a person who is full of herself.

You see, a leader is someone who is not afraid to admit they don't know everything, someone who recognizes they need input from others and ask for help when necessary.  They are the type of person who can delegate tasks to others and be willing to take on the jobs no one wants.  They are the type of person who listens attentively to others, yet speaks intelligently when called upon.

The difficulty comes in as the more you lead out and the higher you become in your role as a leader, the more decisions you have to make.  That in itself is not so bad.  The problem is as you learn to depend on your ability to make decisions, you are less likely to ask or accept decisions from others.  The more jobs you do of a higher nature, the less likely you are to participate in menial tasks.  The more others listen to you, the less likely you are to listen to them.

It is truly a difficult balance of staying humble while achieving power and authority in leadership roles.

When I look at the leaders I admire, they exemplify confidence, yet humility, authority, yet simplicity, boldness, yet sincerity.

I'm not sure as of this night I am happy with my leadership ability.  My role as a leader has changed drastically this year in ways I never asked for, nor anticipated.  I've had to step up in my authority, but am not sure I like the direction I am heading.  I think I need to be taken down a notch or two for my own good.  I've become too full of myself and need to realize everything does not revolve around my own thinking and opinions.

May the good Lord make me into the leader He needs me to be as He leads me down the paths He chooses for me.

"Yes, I have loved you with an everlasting love and with loving kindness I have drawn you. Again I will build you and you shall be rebuilt..." Jeremiah 31:3-4 

I'm so glad God is in the demolition and reconstruction business.