The reward for leadership is the opportunity to make more sacrifices. I see many talented people become disillusioned leaders because they are not prepared for this fact.

I attended the National Council On Culture and Leadership Annual Summit (NCCL Website) last week and heard a fellow West Point graduate Steve Ingalls describe the sacrifices we all must make when we become leaders.

Ready To Sacrifice?

The promotion we get when we move from the front lines and into leadership creates false expectations in many people. The promise of MORE rarely applies to anything but sacrifice.

MORE freedom – No.

MORE time – No.

MORE SACRIFICE – YES

Leaders Willingly Sacrifice

A promotion is a happy time for many people. A promotion is a validation of my hard work and the value the organization places on my abilities.

Disillusionment sets in for some people when they realize how much sacrifice is involved in being the leader. Many good employees become ineffective leaders because they are not willing to make the sacrifices necessary to be a leader.

The unwillingness of a leader to make sacrifices for the good of the led is a character issue. It remains a character issue only if that person continues to stay in the position of leader AND refuses to make sacrifices.

If someone realizes that leading others will require sacrifices that leader is unwilling to make, and steps aside for another leader, that is the right thing to do. In fact, it is sacrificial!

Rewards Beyond Sacrifice

The irony of leadership is that you must sacrifice in order to gain as a leader.

If I sacrifice do I gain more money? – Usually

If I sacrifice do I gain more influence? – Usually

If I sacrifice do I gain more respect? – Usually

Each level I move up in leadership, I am rewarded with more sacrifice. The more I sacrifice the more I gain these other rewards as well.

The Bottom Line:

The National Council on Culture and Leadership is creating a movement. They want a group of like minded individuals and organizations to join together to begin to change the culture and leadership mindset of our nation.

The NCCL’s focus is on the character of our nation’s leaders. Whether it be leaders in business, in government or at home, the NCCL is beginning a dialogue with leaders that is designed to make real change happen.

I am becoming part of NCCL because I believe in their mission. I knew I was All In with them when I heard Steve Ingalls talk about the role of sacrifice in a leader’s life.

To become a better leader, I must sacrifice more.

Read more on sacrificial leadership in this blog:  Five Rights We Give Up To Lead

Check out the NCCL website information here:  NCCL Info

Question:

What have you sacrificed in order to lead?