Leadership is hard, you guys. đ I canât attribute all of my life changes to leadership specifically, but it has played a very large role in shaping my perspective and how I interact/think of others. Not only have I become a more assertive communicator, but I have heightened self-awareness, higher emotional intelligence, and a much bigger âbig pictureâ approach when analyzing most situations.
It feels like I am constantly making (big and small) sacrifices for the benefit of others, often with little to no reward. But then, I got to thinking about Jesus. And living impeccably.
My assumption was that living impeccably makes life easier; that there would be more happiness. But thatâs not really the case. Life has definitely gotten harder in many ways. Although there does seem to be a greater sense of well-being, the complexity of emotions that come with selfless leadership has made me feel (on average) just merely content. I donât feel great, but I donât feel bad either. I feel just okay.
If living impeccably means to live without sin, and sin is defined as âanything that you do which goes against yourselfâ, how do I be a selfless leader? Selfless leadership seems to be nearly constant self-sacrifice. It seems that living impeccably is the exact opposite of selfless leadership.
But itâs not.
Naturally, we are very selfless. It is the influence of others that creates selfishness. I have loved my Toyota Tacoma for 10 years. But when my friend got a brand-new Jeep Wrangler, it kind of made me want to trade in the Tacoma. I was content with what I had, until someone else showed me what I did not have.
If it is our natural tendency to help others, then not putting others before myself would actually be the sin. Therefore, living impeccably is. selfless. leadership. đ¤Ż
As I considered this, I was like, “Shit. That kind of sucks though.” Now, I get to go through life building up others while I go without my own desires? Thatâs unfair. At what point do I get rewarded for this selfless behavior? I cannot live miserably to build up others to live impeccably. Does no good deed really go unpunished?
Then I realized that perhaps our reward doesnât come here on earth. I think part of me has been seeking reward through the instant gratification we have culturally (and generationally) become accustomed to. But if I look at this through the much bigger âbig picture”, it completely makes sense that the reward is within something bigger than ourselves.
Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, whether neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will also be.
Mathew 6:19
Contentment is satisfaction. And so is selfless leadership. It may bring me a tinge of pain to go without my wants or needs, but knowing I have helped someone else achieve their goals comes with a great deal of pride in their efforts. Itâs a balance of positive and negative. âď¸ But really, the positive outweighs the negative, because there is additional satisfaction in knowing I did the right thing. My heart was in the right place, and that is my treasure.
Iâm not seeking reward in monetary or possessional gains. I donât even know what kind of reward I had been seeking. But if âGodliness with contentment is great gainâ (1 Timothy 6:6), then Iâve already claimed my reward.
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