Bound For Glory? not so fast buddy!

You need to be a bit leery of those too eager to assume leadership.

Some of the best leaders are aghast at the title. They never wanted to lead, don’t feel comfortable leading, and need to sidle up to the responsibilities involved – carefully.

The eager ones have watched movies, read books, and played war games a bit too seriously. They see themselves gloriously waving a sword as their valiant and obedient minions assault the objective. Que the victory sequence—more flags, bands, decorations, and Glory—just like in the movies!

For some reason, they never see themselves down in the muck with the workers, inspiring, helping, and learning the real situation—you know, doing what real leaders do.

Are real leaders always successful? No. They tend to fail like anyone else. But unlike the glory seeker they learn from failure, and work hard on succeeding next time. Glory seekers tend to fade into the background and say that it was an impossible situation.

To them I offer my favorite Napoleon quote: “Glory is fleeting. But obscurity is forever.”