Do you ever feel discouraged to keep on leading? I do. Since 2008, I have been intentional to grow as a leader. I have created and led several companies. I have served on several boards of trustees. I have written and spoken extensively about leadership. And still, occasionally I hesitate, I doubt my ability and resolve to keep going. Voices rise that I must still. I want to share with you five such voices that poke their heads into my mind from time to time in hopes that it will help you recognize your own moments of doubt.
1—I don’t have the desire to focus on others.
Sometimes, we are just tired, worn out, and ‘peopled out.’ Sometimes leaders just want to focus on themselves for a little while, and this is even needed occasionally. Needing to recharge momentarily is okay. Having an attitude of not wanting to focus on people that lasts weeks or longer puts us somewhere outside of leadership. Beware.
As Christian leaders, we must remember that the whole Christian message is rooted in a life that touches people. Jesus was on a mission to save people. All the apostles and disciples in the Bible lived lives with the focus to be with and impact people.
2—I don’t have the capacity to focus on others.
I don’t have what it takes to pull this off is another internal voice that pushes us away from leading in certain settings. This feeling may be because we are tired, don’t have the emotional bandwidth or time, have a tendency to self-doubt, or have had recent failures.
We may be in over our head. We may not be ready. These are all real possibilities. What to do? Listen to the voices of the people you trust. Likely, if we are seeking the Lord and working to improve our skills and character, we have what it takes. Being in over our head can push us to grow. However, there is a fine line between getting pummeled and being hopelessly outclassed and challenged beyond our current skill level. I recently talked to a person close to me when I had some doubts about my abilities to lead in a certain capacity. My friend told me, “Remember the previous successes you’ve had. David (in the Bible) had the confidence to kill Goliath because he had already killed a lion and a bear.” Remember your previous successes.
3—I don’t have anyone reporting to me.
You may not want to lead because in this season, or in this position, you don’t have direct reports. It could be that when you don’t have anyone reporting to you, you feel that you are not or cannot be a leader, that you are not expected to lead, or that you don’t have much ability to lead because you are alone. Don’t let any such reason stop you from leading.
Very often the impact people have on a group has little to do with whether or not they have a team. If this is you, don’t let the fact that you don’t have direct reports stop you from making a deep impact on the people and organization around you.
4—I don’t have anyone listening to me.
Sometimes we have a team, but the team does not listen to us, so we begin to give up. When this happens, we may quit leading without quitting our leadership position.
When a team is not listening, we have to up our leadership game. When they don’t listen to you, it is time for you to listen to them. If people don’t listen, that usually means there is little personal connection. We have not sacrificed and served enough, we have not connected deeply, we have not communicated, we have not included them in the plans, or we have not shared our heart.
5—I don’t have good leaders above me.
Another time I have found myself wanting to give up is when the leaders above me seem incapable or disengaged. Are you in a situation where the person or persons up chain from you are lacking? This is a common crossroads where we as leaders start to give up and detach ourselves.
Remember, no leader is perfect, so offer grace. Your mandate is not only to lead down, but also sideways and up. If you have not read the book The 360 Leader, I recommend it. What does it mean to lead up? To make an impact on those who rank above you. When appropriate, you must change their minds or hold them accountable.
Be aware of these and other insidious voices in your mind that lure you away from leading, then look until you find ways to quiet them.
Don’t give up on your world. Your world needs you! Don’t give up on your church. Don’t give up on your team. Don’t give up on your family. Don’t give up on your city or country. Don’t give up on your board. Ask the Lord to guide you. Persevere. Grow.
How can I support you more as a Christian leader and entrepreneur?
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