Being an effective leader in today’s marketplace is not easy.  The pace of competitive threats and marketplace disruption from global innovators has threatened all aspects of companies operating in a traditional framework.

As the demand on leaders continues grow in complexity and intensity, we all will, at some point, come to that reflective moment and ask ourselves, “Why I am still doing this and do I really want to continue to lead in this environment?”

Here are a few thoughts to help keep the fire within burning bright during some dark part of our leadership journey:  Answering the question, Why lead?

1. Leadership helps others. Beyond the pressure of the business, the competition, and the money, leading others provides us with a unique opportunity to connect with and make a positive impact into the lives of others. Leaders can make the world a better place, one person at a time. Life is designed to be in community with others and leadership puts us in the forefront of connecting with others to make life better. Our leadership can support a purposeful life as connecting with others is what gives life meaning. 
2. Leadership is for the long-term. Our leadership is not defined by a near term failure or success in the business. Today’s bonus check and write-up in the paper may define the short-term impact, but our leadership is defined by the long-term personal impact we make on others.  When our actions consistently build a foundation based on trust, respect, and commitment, we prepare our teams and business for success over the long-term which will define our leadership legacy.  
3. Leadership chooses the hard things. As President John F. Kennedy tried to rally the nation to the cause of going to the moon, he said, “We choose to go to the Moon…and do the other things, not because they are easy, but because they are hard; because that goal will serve to organize and measure the best of our energies and skills…” As leaders we need to choose to do the hard work in order to set an example for others and lead our teams to reach their full potential. It is the most effective choice and most of us would prefer to be remembered as having done the harder right rather than taking the easy way out.

As our business gets more challenged, leaders rise to the occasion and whether we want to continue or not in our role, the reality is, we are leading regardless of whether we acknowledge it, embrace it, work on it, or just plain check-out. Our presence and actions influence those around us for the positive or the negative, regardless of title or position.

I wish you all the best to keep moving forward in your leadership.

What if I were to ask you, “What is the greatest leadership challenge you are facing today?” What would you say?  Here are a few resources to help:

1. Download FREE resources at www.harvesttimepartners.com  
2. Contact me. Email: david@harvesttimepartners.com (M) 269-370-9275

David Esposito