The Price, Cost and Worth of Leadership. The answer to these 3 questions may determine your opportunities, future and effectiveness as a leader.

What is the price of leadership? The most common price associated with leadership is criticism. If you are the leader, then you are an easy target. Leaders are out-front because they see better, before and beyond the rest of us. When you are In front, you become not only an easy target but in many cases, the first casualty. I am convinced to lead effectively a person needs 3 qualifications: 1. The Mind of a Scholar to understand the complexities of today’s challenges.

2. The Heart of a Shepherd because whether you lead a team in a corporate setting or a church, today’s workforce want to ‘belong.’

3. Finally, a leader needs the Hide of a Rhinoceros to withstand the scrutiny, criticism and inquiries into his/her every decision as a leader.

Regardless of the price, what am I willing to pay is the cost associated with my leadership. Am I willing to pay the price that great leadership requires? The cost may be paid in the effort I am willing to invest to grow in order to enhance my personal leadership abilities. What is my plan and pattern to grow myself as a leader? What skill development do I need in order to become the leader I am needed to be and that I can become? This price/cost can be paid in discipline, developing mentors, reading/listening and holding myself accountable to what I know and learn. After all, the first person I ever lead is myself.

What is growing as a leader worth? To you it is worth your future along with the opportunities that comes with it.  I believe deciding to grow as a leader is the wisest decision I have ever made and it has brought incalculable blessings into my life. People, positions as well as personal wealth are all present in my life because of my leadership journey.  I am convinced personal leadership is the difference maker in a person’s life. Leadership allows a person to separate from the pile of other wannabe. When your influence grows, so does your opportunities.

Take a high school math teacher for example, he is educated, knowledgeable and experienced in teaching math. What separates him from the pile of other math professionals? I believe it is his/her influence. Growing as a leader, as an influencer is what gives him/her an advantage, not more subject knowledge.

John D. Rockefeller said, “The ability to deal with people is as purchasable a commodity as coffee or sugar, and I am will pay for this ability more than any other under the sun.”

The price, cost and worth of leadership may be incalculable to you but if you can wrap your mind around this concept, I believe you will be able to calculate your opportunities because they will multiply.