Sadness

#Beingaleader means you have to deal with sadness. Your own. Others’. Their actions that cause them not to reach their potential.

What sadness are you carrying? Personally or professionally? This can affect your leadership of others. It’s not about ignoring your sadness. It’s about realizing its impact on you and your decision making. It’s about not letting the sadness overwhelm you to the point of damaging your team or its progress.

What sadness are others carrying that they bring to the team? This is often the big unknown. It may affect how people react. How they interact with others. Attitude. Job performance. Sometimes you can’t, or shouldn’t, know what sadness they are carrying but just realize that everyone on your team is carrying some. Give some grace to others when appropriate.

Some of the worst sadness can come from not reaching potential. Seeing failure in others from reaching their potential. Through their action or inaction they close off doors that would otherwise be available to them. You often can see the consequences or at least anticipate them in others but not everyone is open to hearing the advice you have to give. This can lead to your sadness.

#Beingaleader means you have to deal with sadness. Recognize it. Carry it. Give grace where needed.