Tag Archives: responsibility

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10 Things I Hate About Leadership

As great as leadership can be, there are frustrating struggles every leader will face. We’ll be hard-pressed to enjoy every minute of leadership.

There’s plenty of times I think of the things I hate about leadership. And then the list begins to take shape…

Sometimes I hate leadership so much I could scream!

Image by Kenny Louie

Leadership comes with it’s own pitfalls. The trappings we all hate. The frustrations of making a tough choice. The terror of stepping forward.

Yet we lead, even with the long lists of things we hate.

1. The added responsibility of leadership: Yup, we all step into leadership and know there’s going to be added responsibility. Sometimes the added responsibility that comes with leadership can be overwhelming.

2. The responsibility to make the hard decisions: Leaders are there for a reason. We’re there to set a course, to plot the way, to make decisions. Not every decision we face will be easy. We’ll have to make some really difficult choices.  Read more...

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What To Do When You Fail To Meet Expectations

It’s going to happen. One day you’re going to let someone down.

This letdown may be your coworkers, your boss, your spouse, your parents, or some other important person in your life. The truth of the matter is you’re going to disappoint them at some point.

We all do it. We might as well be open and honest about this truth. Once we’re honest with ourselves, we can create a plan of action for what we can do when we fail to meet expectations.

Whenever we let someone down, there’s the pang of guilt. We know we didn’t uphold our end of the bargain. The ball was dropped. We were a disappointment.

We’ll often scramble to create an excuse as to why we failed to meet the expectations someone had for us. We’ll throw out excuses. We’ll blame others. We’ll clam up.  Read more...

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Are You Eating Last?

There have been many people who were called leaders yet they never truly led. They were only out for themselves and no one else.

Not their team. Not their coworkers. And sadly not even their family. The only one who mattered was covering their own butt, numero uno.

But, in his new book, Leaders Eat Last, Simon Sinek turns this leadership method on it’s head, and then kicks it hard to the curb.

The greatest question you’ll need to answer from Leaders Eat Last is “Am I eating last?”

Simon Sinek's latest bookSinek really reinforced the notion that leadership is less about the leader and more about the leader watching out for the team. Leaders go above and beyond to keep their teams together rather than tearing the team apart through layoffs and petty office politics.  Read more...

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Moving From Manager To Leader

Becoming a manager is easy. For the most part, you transition into management by someone giving you the title. It’s something you earned.

Be proud of that. It’s an honor to be recognized for the hard work you do. However, don’t think this makes you a leader.

Leaders are more than managers. They inspire. They share vision. They encourage.

Are you willing to move from manager to leader?

Pawn takes king chess pieces

Image by Anil Jadhav

I hope so, as that’s what I want to share with you today. Moving from manager to leader requires you to take a few steps out of your comfort zone. It may even scare your socks off.

That’s okay though. Great leaders still have fears and doubts. They just don’t let all of the fears and doubts keep them from leading.  Read more...

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15 Encouragements For Young Leaders

One of the greatest joys of my life has been pouring into the lives of young leaders. Seeing the hunger and drive of their youth is invigorating.

And yet we see young leaders fall to the wayside far too often. Hurt, discouraged, ready to give up.

This is why we must find ways to stay encouraged. A discouraged leader does his team no good.

Today I want to offer you 15 encouragements as you take the leadership journey. Some will apply to situations you’re currently facing. Others will apply to the situations that will be coming. Tuck these pieces of encouragement away and pull them out when you need them.

15 encouragements for young leaders

You’ll never fully arrive: What? This is an encouragement? Yes, if I do say so. Remember, the end will always be elusive. There will be times of frustration because you can’t see the end. That’s because it’s not there. Don’t stress arriving, enjoy the journey.  Read more...