When you're little you always want to be the leader. But as you get older, being a leader is much more than just being the first one in the line. You are expected to be a role model for others. One for them to look up to as an example. And therefore, you are held under high expectations.
Being a leader is rewarding of course, but can also add a lot of stress into your life. You need to make sure that you are being the best you can, to show others that it's possible for them to succeed just like you. But you know what? That's really not so easy all the time. I get busy. I get tired. I get lazy. It happens to everyone! But the person who is reprimanded the most is the leader because they're the one who is supposed to have it all under control. Sometimes it seems as though everyone else is allowed to make an excuse, or slack off a little, but if you're the one in charge, you better have everything done perfectly. (And right on time too!)
Trying to have everything perfectly under control all the time just isn't possible. We are holding ourselves up to standards that are just nearly impossible to reach. Not only that, but we're doing it to those we look up to too. It's just not fair.
Having others look up to you can be so overwhelming. Especially if it seems as though you can't get a hold of their attention. No matter what you do, how many emails you send, or how many warnings you may give, you just can't get through to them. It gets frustrating. And then you begin to question your leadership skills. Am I not cut out to do this? Is there something that I'm doing wrong? You go out on a limb and ask what you can do to make things better, and yet... no response. (Sigh of disappointment.) No matter what you can't seem to get a handle on things, and suddenly you feel as though everything is slipping through your fingers.
When things seem like they can't get any worse, remember that they probably can't. Things can only go up from here. So maybe it was just a rough week, or a rough month, but you are still an incredible leader. In one way or another, you have affected each and every person who has followed your footsteps, even if only for a little. Just keep a positive attitude, and you'll begin to remember why you're a leader in the first place.
