When life hits hardest, what do you do?

When conflicts are mounting, what stance do you take?

When you have given all you have and more is required, where do you find the strength?

When you are tired and disillusioned, where is your inspiration?

I ask these questions because leadership is more than knowledge and skills. It is acquiring an emotional maturity and fortitude that allows the leader to withstand a barrage of criticism, attack, and in some cases ignorance. This type of leadership braces the leader for exchanges that take place on unlevel playing fields that test professionalism and our innermost self. In these moments you know your purpose and calling have to be larger than the situation. You continue to press through the struggle because your calling demands it of you. Your passion won’t let you admit defeat. You are more than this moment, than this series of events, than the careless words of short-sighted critics. You are enough because you lead, and because you lead you are enough. Because leading is more than a position or title. It rests in the courage to continue the right work even in the midst of uncertainty. It’s fighting the right fight and being relentless in your determination to not allow others to shake your focus with petty issue that distract from the most important work of all.

Keep grinding, leader.

Know that those who benefit directly and indirectly from your work are better because of you.

Keep grinding, leader.

Understanding that if the work was easy everybody would do it, but instead it’s you. With your unique gift, your emotional maturity, fortitude, and stamina. It’s you making moves and sharing your greatness with the world.

Keep grinding, leader.

It’s you because you are the difference. The future depends on your commitment to keep grinding and lead.

The world is waiting on your greatness.

Keep grinding, leader.