The call to leadership often requires making difficult decisions no one else is willing to make. Over the years I have observed people who call themselves leaders, but they easily give up when difficult times come to the organization. Leaders should strive to structure the organization to weather storms, but in any organization there will be times when hard decisions have to be made and a leader must be willing to make them for the good of the organization. This does not negate the need for servant leadership, but it is a reminder that leading often requires making decisions no one else is willing to make:
Times such as:
- When an employee is no longer a good fit…
- When difficult changes need implementing…
- When no one seems to agree with your decisions…
- When you have to say no more than you get to say yes…
- When a current system is broke…
- When finances are strained…
- When a new opportunity or direction presents itself…
A person that seeks to be a leader should look deep in his or her gut before they accept the position of leadership and consider if he or she has the ability to make the tough calls. As momma used to say, “If you can’t stand the heat…get out of the kitchen.”
Do you have the guts to be a leader?
What is the most difficult decision you have had to make as a leader?
You're right on Ron. I have also seen too many leaders that at the time of making these hard decisions they try to pass them on to the next level down in the leadership or to someone else in the same level instead of taking care of the issue and assuming the responsibility. Your post is a good reminder that leading means not only having the title of leader, but it means that at the times that matter most one is willing to step up and make the tough call.
I have found that the most difficult decision I have had to make as a Christian and a business owner/leader, is to fold. There are so many companies out there doing it, that it is socially acceptable. But morally, there are big questions in my heart whether this goes against God’s principles and whether I am supposed to continue to struggle. Firing people has never been easy, either. But I always say, somebody’s gotta do the dirty work, and I’m somebody. 🙂
Yes it does,
Currently at work, I seem to headed for a management position that I am not feeling ready or equipped for. In yet, this could be good experience down the road and my wife and I could seriously use the additional financial incentives in order to balance our budget.
The challenges for me has been figuring out whether to stay and fight it out or move into something that will actually teach me these skills on a day to day basis
.-= Daniel Berman´s last blog ..God’s Direction – Stay Or Move =-.