I don’t know the origin of these 17 items, but they ring true for me. A colleague sent them to me. As I typed them into this post, I teared up. I ran a company for 16 years, growing from 1 employee to 500 employees. Each of the items brought back the the memories of how hard and lonely leadership can be. I am so glad I was part of Vistage when I ran my company. I am so glad I am now leading a group of CEOs.
1. You have to make the call you are afraid to make.
2. You have to get up earlier than you want to.
3. You have to give more than you get in return right away.
4. You have to care more for others than they care about you.
5. You have to feel unsure and insecure when playing it safe seems smarter.
6. You have to lead when no one else is following you yet.
7. You have to invest in yourself even though no one else is.
8. You have to grind out the details when it is easier to shrug them off.
9. You have to deliver results when making excuses is an option.
10. You have to search for your own explanations even when you are told to accept the “facts”.
11. You have to make mistakes and look like an idiot.
12. You have to try and fail and try again.
13. You have to run faster even though you are out of breath.
14. You have to be kind to people who have been cruel to you.
15. You have to meet deliveries that are unreasonable and deliver results that are unparalleled.
16. You have to be accountable for your actions even when things go wrong.
17. You have to keep moving towards where you want to be no matter what is in front of you.