4 Hard Things Leaders Do

The hard things leaders do make them glorious.

A bird in flight is glorious. There’s glory in just being human. Stars at night sing glory.

Effortless glory is wonderful. But there’s another kind of glory that’s seen in the hard things leaders do.

The truth about hard things:

The hard things leaders do are uncomfortable.

1. Confronting intentional violations.

2. Correcting screw ups.

3. Cutting back.

4. Saying, “No.”

5. Terminating someone.

The hard things leaders do often go unnoticed. People who don’t do what you do, don’t know how challenging it is.

When combined with humility, the hard things leaders do:

1. Give strength.

2. Shape the will.

3. Expand outlook.

4. Enrich life.

4 hard things leaders do:

#1. Receive help.

You’d rather give help than receive it, but both are necessary. Leaders who go the farthest receive the most help.

Leaders who do all the helping – but don’t receive help – screw a lid on their potential.

#2. Face criticism with grace.

Winston Churchill was criticized for his frequent visits to bombed neighborhoods during WWII. Of course, he would have been criticized if he hadn’t visited bombed neighborhoods.

#3. Serve in unnoticed ways:

Serving gives life meaning. It’s a privilege to serve even when you’re tired.

I wish I could say that serving was always easy and fun. But difficult service is often more fulfilling than easy.

What would life be like without service?

It’s glorious to:

1. Step back so others can step up.

2. Celebrate other’s success.

3. Develop people until they outperform you.