The Untold Cost of Leadership

I apologize for not blogging lately.  I had to let a number of staff go recently and it's created a little bit of a firestorm here, which means I've had little time to do—both the things I need to do and the things I want to do—like writing this blog.  So, please accept my apology.  However, this situation does provide me with a great opportunity to share a great leadership concept with you (without going into all the details about what's occurred here).

Back when I was in seminary in California, there was a major battle being fought between two groups of leaders at the seminary.  Since I happened to know the leaders on both sides of the battle, i felt caught.  I had information that others didn't have.  Yet it was also, confidential information that i couldn't share with anyone else.  So, one day as I was walking across the campus green, I mentioned to the Vice-President of the seminary my predicament.  And his response to me was one I have never forgotten.  He simply said, "Loneliness is the price of leadership no one tells you about."  And he was right.

As leaders, we're often privy to information that others are not.  If we could share it, others would see what we see.  But we can't.  So we're stuck alone.  Others can make false accusations and spread rumors, based on misinformation, but we can't respond.  Most of the time we just have to take it.  Furthermore, in most cases, as Christians, we wouldn't want to spread negative information about someone (don't you wish your adversaries would think that way?).  And legally we often can't share information (as is our case, involving employee terminations).  So alone you will stand.  Hopefully, you'll have some other people stand with you.  But, at the end of the day, you're the one whom others are trying to take down.  And you'll have to take it.  But, this much I will tell you.  When you're in this position, you'll see the Scriptures in a whole new light—and your relationship with God will enter into a whole new realm.  Jesus understands this situation perfectly.  Can you say, 'Easter"?

Comments

[Malcolm Munro]

Good point Bruce. It's another reason why I tell my students: "Anyone can aspire to leadership and eventually become a leader, but very few will actually be able to put in the effort, weather the many storms, and persevere long enough to reach it."

Hang in there!

[Gary]

THANK YOU! We are a 7 month old church plant that was blessed to start multi-staffed. In the last month I have had to let go of two people, both who were friends and helped us get started. I knew things our people could never find out, nor would I let them. I want them to see those people in a good light but we have taken a few lumps for it.
Your post helped a lot.

[Anonymous]

Don't forget that there are people who are fired that are still standing behind and supporting you. Don't believe that it is everyone who was fired - you might be surprised how far and deep loyalty runs.

[Tami]

Thank you, Bruce for this timely article. We're taking major hits for "releasing" people. We are 2 years old and had to let people go for things we're not entitled to discuss. We continue to receive calls and emails about our "secrecy" and continue to take the "hits" from people who don't have all the information. And all of this as we break ground on our property. We lay our heads down at night knowing that some are trying to take us down (Christians) without knowing all the facts. Hurtful for a pastor's wife -- I needed this article today. Thanks for the encouragement, and yes, our relationship with God has "entered into a whole new realm." We truly are grateful for the ones standing with us through this storm.