Sacrifice is being willing to give up something good for something better. Life is full of boundless possibilities, but in order to transform a possibility into a reality we have to choose — sacrificing the many in order to attain the one. My previous posts suggests, as a leader you sacrifice your time and energy. In case you missed it, you can read it HERE and HERE.
Sacrifice has meaning only in the context of a goal, dream or mission. In pursuing these, we often face obstacles which require us to forfeit physical or emotional comfort in the service of something that matters more. Often, the greater the dream or vision, the greater the shared sacrifice required to attain it. Sacrifice is easier when we stay focused on what we are choosing rather than what we are giving up. In addition to sacrificing time and energy, As a Leader you sacrifice your Ego
Ego is often one of the hardest things to sacrifice. As a leader you pour so much of yourself into your organization and your team. So when people are critical of your efforts it can be difficult to accept. Sometimes the best of intentions can backfire on you, or comments can be misunderstood. An insecure leader may be tempted to bite back and defend their pride. But a servant hearted leader understands that sometimes ego is a worthwhile sacrifice. They know that an apology can have more impact than trying to convince someone you were right. They understand that building relationships is more important than being right. In that light the sacrifice of ego is worth it.
Further Reading Inspiration and References:
Scripture verses:
- Jesus teaches responsibility requires sacrifice -Luke 12:48
- No everyone is willing to sacrifice – John 6:66
- Love requires sacrifice – John 15:13
- Leaders are required to sacrifice personal desires – Proverbs 31:4-5
Other Reading:
- Failing Forward – John C. Maxwell
- The Leadership Factor – John P. Kotter
- AX-I-OM Powerful Leadership Proverbs – Bill Hybels
