Leadership: A True Perspective
The older I get the more I resist the title of “leader.”
I hesitate to apply it to myself and have a lot less “pride” when it is ascribed to me because I am much more acutely aware of what it REALLY means.
I used to revel in the leadership positions assigned to me whether I wanted them or not. I used to think it was a great honor, a testament to “my” intellect, “my” ability, “my” excellence. Sigh! Today I know it is a “burden” far beyond my capabilities and, alas, even desires. The responsibility is not only too much for me, my intellect and ability – confession – I simply do not “care” enough to give to others in such a sacrificial way because, alas, to be the “greatest,” one must become the least. To be a leader is to be a servant and do I really need to explain why this is hard and, ultimately, NOT desirable?
The Cost of Leadership.
Skip Moen is an author, teacher, researcher I follow and have quoted several times in my book, “The Happiness Formula.” In a recent online blog, “The Cost of Leadership,” he breaks down the word “burden” as used by Moses when he confronts Adonai regarding the incessant complaints of the people. Moses has such raw, honest clarity about his inability to meet the calling to shepherd God’s people to freedom, to be a leader, he is disgusted with himself and his lack of desire and, therefore, pleads for death. He’d rather die than to have to honestly admit how little impact he can have or wants to make.
Moen concludes his blog with insight which requires serious meditation:
“It is possible that the complaint directed toward heaven is an objection that God isn’t doing what He said (what we wanted). ‘Just let me end. Why should I go on like this, constantly oppressed by obligations I did not seek?’ If Moses, the greatest leader of Israel, reaches a point where he would rather die than continue to be in charge of the project, are we not likely to come to the same place? Are we not likely to ask for a discharge of duty, to cast aside the assignment given to us and yearn for extinction? Perhaps the iconic Moses, the striking figure of power and confidence, isn’t really the Moses of Scripture but rather a Hollywood construct. Perhaps once more we discover that the men and women God chooses are as flawed, exhausted, discouraged and dismayed as we are. And yet God chooses. It seems as unfair as it is unfathomable.”
The Call to Leadership.
The call to leadership is a call to surrender, to self-sacrifice, to long hours, to stumbles and bumbles and failure. To be a leader is to operate in a sea of complaints and critiques amidst throngs of “haters” while exhausted and disappointed because you understand the gravity of the Truth: in and of yourself, you can do so little. In fact, like Moses and so many of the “greats,” they die not having received the glory we assume they should receive due to their “fame” during their temporal life phase as a tangible being.
Moses did not see the promised land, yet he persisted. A true leader persists because, in the end, a TRUE leader accepts the Divine Truth that “I am my brother’s keeper, but I am not his Source.” A Higher Calling will always be too much for a mere human’s intellect (IQ) and ability (EQ). A Higher Calling is always about one’s “god quotient”TM. A true leader knows that IQ and EQ will only get you so far, but the true glory is when they are aligned and have surrendered to God.
Thus, you persist. You press on because GQ matters.
It is in the fulfillment of that which is beyond your intellect, your capabilities, and even your desire, you find your purpose, your reason to exist, your happiness!
I’m excited to walk this journey with you as we unveil the practical and research-based information on how to achieve that which we all desire for ourselves and others – to be “happy”. We discover that happiness is attainable and, better yet, sustainable, as long as one is willing to do the work. In my book “The Happiness Formula”, I dive into each element in detail. Order your copy of “The Happiness Formula”, click here and subscribe to my YouTube Channel (click here) for continued insights and updates into HAPPINESS. Thank you for your support!
Kasandra Vitacca Mitchell
Kasandra Vitacca Mitchell is an Author, Speaker, Coach of Wealth & Happiness with a mission to bring research, wisdom, and authenticity to others via “The Happiness Formula.”
