It sucks because it is hard. And it is hard because the more I grow as a leader the more I realize that it isn’t about me. And let’s face it - that is a hard lesson to learn. But it is a lesson that I am learning everyday. So what am I learning? 1) Leaders equip others to succeed. When we are busy equipping others, we are not too focused on ourselves. 2) Leaders care about success, not credit. As soon as I care about credit, I have lost my connection to mission and the team. Successful leaders live missionally. 3) Leaders get out of the way. A funny paradox of sorts…but leaders shouldn’t always be at the front of the pack. Sure…setting vision and strategy is critical…but I need to get out of the way to allow the team (who is far more talented than me) to take us forward. Sometimes leaders are in the midst of the team…and sometimes they are on the sidelines cheering the team on. It is critical to know when to do what! So yes…leadership sucks. It sucks the “me” right out of the equation so that “we” can be successful.