The challenges and rewards of leadership

As a leader, you must understand what you do well and know where you need assistance. Your strengths and weaknesses don’t make you wrong or right; they just make you who you are. If you’ve ever heard the saying, “No man is an island,” it was probably said about a great leader. Few people achieve success on their own. Consider an actor in a play. He may be the one out front in the spotlight with perfect hair, makeup, and costume, reciting poignant lines and getting all the applause. But he didn’t do it alone. He had to rely on the costume designer for the outfit he wore, the hair and makeup artists who made him look flawless, the playwright who wrote the words, and the lighting and sound crews who set the stage. Good leaders are wise enough to surround themselves with people who have strengths that complement theirs. They are still in charge, but they have teams that help them achieve their vision. You are a leader in some area of your life – home, family, work, church – and you know leadership has its challenges. While there are certainly many benefits, a leader has to deal with conflict, controversy, and naysayers who think they know better. This comes with the territory. But you can’t let others keep you from achieving your goals. Not everyone will be your cheerleader. That’s just a fact of life. If you are going to be an effective leader, hold fast to your vision, build a great team to help you, and stand on God’s promise: “I have called [you]…and [your] way will prosper.”