Pulling The Plow

 Being a leader or an entrepreneur means that many times you're going to have to break new ground.  This is not an easy task on the BEST of days! 

Work has to be done to change environments, mindsets, and people's perceptions.  It doesn't matter whether you're in leadership, marketing, sales, etc., etc. …

We all have to deal with this fact: Leadership is challenging.

One of the things that can have the greatest direct result on your leadership performance is the TEAM you work with.  Does the team work together well?  Does the team support the leadership .. and vice versa?

I know I've referenced this great quote before ...  (If you've not seen that post, it can be found HERE. ) , but I want to touch on it again. 

It is an excerpt from "The Man In The Arena" Speech By Theodore Roosevelt at the Sorbonne Paris, France April 23, 1910.

“It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man
stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better.  The credit
belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and
sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs, who comes short again and
again, because there is no effort without error and shortcoming; but who does
actually strive to do the deeds; who knows great enthusiasms, the great devotions;
who spends himself in a worthy cause; who at the best knows in the end the
triumph of high achievement, and who at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while
daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who
neither know victory nor defeat.”

As a leader in any field, you have to become comfortable with doing hard work in hard circumstances.  That's a given. 

BUT … Have you ever felt like that guy?  Pulling as hard as you can to accomplish goals while others "whip" you with their laughter, criticism, and disbelief?  I have.  It isn't fun.

Sometimes as a leader and entrepreneur, it's not disbelief of others which can sting the most.  For me, often times it's the critical words of those who are supposed to be helping me with the vision which have the most bite.

As leaders we must inspire others to join us on our journey.  When speaking with people about partnering together, I always ask them to be mindful of what I am truly asking of them. 

I do not ask people to jump up on the fence and sit there while I pull the plow.  (When you're successful, plenty of people will be trying to jump on your "wagon")  And I certainly don't ask them to sit on the fence and "whip" me with criticism.

What I am asking is that they get off of the fence and into the field with me.  Don't tell me all that I am doing wrong all while sitting comfortably on the fence.  Come into the arena with me and help me accomplish the goals!

If you are thinking about getting involved with a group of some sort … Don't be reckless.  Count the cost first, but then commit and get in the game.  GO FOR IT!

If you are a leader … Take heart, you're not the first nor will you be the last to experience disappointments with people.  When it happens, treat them as you would wish to be treated.  Then take some quiet time to reset your goals in your mind and the determination to meet them in your heart, and PLOW ON!

Blessings and Strength!
John