The Best Articles from Kevin Bowser

On the Team Tuesday

Leadership Sacrifices

Leadership Sacrifices - 1I believe that we have all used this forum to provide a look at all of the great things about being a leader. But I have been thinking about all of the things a great leader may have to give up? We will cover Christ and His ultimate sacrifice shortly. Let’s talk about this more locally, or directly first.

As leaders in our home, what do we have to go without? Maybe we don’t go without anything now. But I bet at some point in your life you either worked some overtime, did not buy something you wanted or let your family do something without you, just so you could afford to let them do it. So I ask you; Does this make you a good leader in your home?

Leadership Sacrifices - 2Could there have been a better example set, or a better lesson taught, by doing without and being together? How about a leader at a large well respected and prosperous company? Do you think he has made any sacrifices to get to the top? Now I don’t mean anything unethical or illegal. I am referencing how many ball games have they missed? How many dance recitals have they missed, how many family dinners have been later, because of their position and status?

There is a component of sacrifice in leadership. As a leader when you are willing to pay the price there will be other team members with leadership potential willing to work with you. I heard once the world is run by tired people. I guess that has to be true, but it is surely built on sacrifice. You will see that leaders are involved in multiple things and are busy. The price to pay is long work hours, reduced family time, facing the pressures of day to day operations, etc.

A team is the key to the dream. John Maxwell says “it takes teamwork to make the dream work.” He also has said “it takes a Mount Everest team to achieve a Mount Everest dream”. Another point to remember as a leader is we need to be able to inspire and recruit excellent team members to accomplish our dream. We cannot do it alone!

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Photo credit: Lawrence OP / Foter / CC BY-NC-ND

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5 Comments

  1. You know, one of the biggest lies ever perpetrated on the young men of our society is the lie that their primary purpose in life is to make as much money as they can in order to be the best father that they can be. I have touched on this in some of my past writings. But, I am working on a new article that is entitled, “Cherishable or Perishable” and I think it will tie in to some of your thoughts very well.

    I would love to see some of our readers who are young fathers respond to this one.

  2. Billy,
    That’s a compelling piece. Every person has to balance priorities in life. A person’s priorities determine how they will allocate one of their most precious resources; their presence. Great leaders develop and lead teams of other leaders at work, at home and in their community. By developing teams of other leaders they ensure that even in their absence their standards will be followed and their expectations will be met.

    Thanks for the post.

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