Leadership is something most of us either consciously or sub-consciously think about.  Consciously because we either have a terrific boss who’s leadership is mind-blowing, or conversely because we have a terrible boss whose leadership is also mind-blowing.  Just not in a positive way.  However, leadership is something we also think about subconsciously as we internally contemplate how we can best raise our children or rally our team around a certain cause.

As you think about leadership in the home, the community, and in your vocational life, you may come to the realization that you have not been a very good leader at all.  Here’s an example.

You once had an extremely loyal “employee” who did absolutely everything you asked of him. He worked 80+ hour weeks, took on numerous volunteer projects, and always said yes to your incessant demands.  If you asked him to give up time with his family, he readily said yes, and if he ever complained, he never did it in front of you.  He showed courage in the face of great adversity and even in the face of physical danger.  In the end, this guy could always be counted on to do anything you asked of him.

Did you reward him though?

No.  In fact, when he did make a mistake, you held it over his head for days, reminding him that he better not make the same mistake again.  You never paid him extra for his loyalty or diligence, didn’t encourage him to take some time off or make sure he was getting enough sleep.  When he had personal struggles, you just told him to “deal with it.”  In short, you were a terrible leader for this guy and as you look back on how you treated him, you might feel great remorse.

Could that “employee” be yourself?

Though you juggled many responsibilities that had the title “leader” in them, the truth of the matter is, you couldn’t lead yourself out of the paper bag that was your work life.  Not a good recipe for success.

Leading ourselves is perhaps one of the most basic, and yet hardest tasks we can ever take on.  This is an area in which we will be ever growing…or repeating the same mistakes with no better results.  Over the next few months, I’ll share what I am learning in the process – and as I do, I would enjoy hearing what you have learned over the years as you have worked through the process of what it means to lead yourself.