The Long Game of Leadership

Like most things in life, there is not an overnight hack for becoming an effective leader, especially when it comes to connecting with and influencing others. With how fast-paced society has become, the shortening of attention spans, and the need for instant gratification, people struggle to commit to their own development because progress can feel slow. Leadership is a long game, and if you want to be successful, then you have to be willing to play the game to the end.

Although progress takes time and intention, it doesn’t mean you aren’t still moving forward. Being a leader often requires patience, like in knowing that growth takes time, results are not always instantaneous, people need time to adjust and adapt to new situations, and conflict can be messy but is sometimes necessary for the further development of the team, etc. Even when it doesn’t feel ideal, a leader stays level-headed and deals with whatever is in front of them one step at a time.

Attending training programs, reading books by those who have been successful before you, and even getting a formal education are all really great, but those things will not solve all of your problems unless you are applying the lessons learned and committing to continuous improvement. The most effective leaders adopt a growth mindset and are willing to put in the time and effort that it takes to achieve their goals, both individually and as a team.

All too often, people will step into a new role or try to make a change in their lives but give up when things start to feel tough. Going to the gym one time is not going to give you abs, but exercising regularly will. In fact, you only strengthen your muscles by first breaking them down and then activating satellite cells that repair the muscle fibers and make them stronger and larger. However, if you stop using those muscles, they will eventually thin and weaken. That’s essentially what forward progress is. It requires you to take new positive actions, repair what is broken along the way, and then continue the positive habits in order to maintain the benefits of your hard work. 

If you’re feeling overwhelmed because you have been working toward something but you’re not where you want to be yet, don’t give up. Keep pushing forward and know that progress takes time, and leadership is a long game. After all, in the words of Franklin D. Roosevelt, “A smooth sea never made a skilled sailor.” Sometimes obstacles are not meant to deter us but are meant to strengthen us.

-Meghan Slaughter