The Cost of Leadership

From Dan Allender's book, Leading with a Limp. He suggests the cost includes six realities. All of them, I have experienced (and am experiencing) as I have sought to publish this book. Here are brief clips from each point:

1. Crisis

"Crises serve to remind us that we are fundamentally not in control. In reality, we are dependent on grace, on a host of people and circumstances that operate well beyond our control, and on the perspiration we have expended in trying to anticipate the unknown (an impossible feat in and of itself).

2. Complexity

"All leaders must deal with copmpeting values, demands, and perspectives."

3. Betrayal

"If you lead, you will eventually serve with Judas or Peter."

4. Loneliness

"Loneliness also assaults a leader when he must absorb the inevitable expressions of disappointments from others when their legitimate expectations are unfulfilled."

5. Weariness

"Will we continue to pray, dream, and fight for people when the battle looks pointless?"

6. Glory

"A leader who has fought for her son, team, staff, or friend will experience a moment of glory."

I have returned again and again to this rich book the past couple of years as I have faced high points and valleys in writing this book. I have not specifically chosen any kind of leadership role for this book; I just wanted to write a book on the virtue and beauty of deep male-female friendships. But I wonder if I would have written a book on prayer, fasting, or some other Christian practice, would I have experienced such complexity, joy, opposition, etc.? 

 When I realized that I wanted to write on the subject, I immediately encountered a wide range of reactions from great fear and a loss of friends, to incredible support and affirmation--and everything in between. I have received great support alongside much opposition--from starting to write to even where we are now in the process.  I've been blessed to hear how my manuscript has already blessed others. One person told me last week, she has felt tremendous peace about her relationships since she read it last year. Praise God. I've also experienced layers of betrayal, which, Allender suggests, it prompts us to ask, "Why are things getting worse?"

This has been one wild ride. I trust this is from the Lord. 

 

Comments

[gracie]

hey, that list missed out: 'support' and 'encouragement'!!
Great job, Dan, I am looking forward to getting a copy of this long-awaited book!

[Dan Brennan]

Gracie, :-)

Friendship support and encouragement have been foundational for this! Thank you!