Have you ever reached a major goal and thought, "I've made it"? I’ve been there many times. I still remember the day I finished my bachelor’s degree. My wife and I were sitting on the deck, watching the sunset. She asked, “What are you going to do with all your free time now?” In that moment, my only thought was that I had arrived—mission accomplished!
But that sense of "arrival" was deceptive. After years of juggling full-time work, marriage, and family farm duties while pursuing my degree, I thought the finish line meant I had “made it.” But here’s the reality: no matter how hard you work to reach a certain goals, especially with self development, the journey never truly ends—especially when it comes to leadership.
Many people view leadership as a destination, a title to attain. They believe that once they’re promoted or recognized as a leader, they've arrived. But this mindset is a trap. Leadership isn’t a title or a position—it’s a continuous journey, a never-ending process.
True leadership is about constant growth. It’s not a status to be reached, but a state of ongoing learning and improvement. You’re either moving forward or falling behind; there’s no staying the same. Leadership means being open to new perspectives, understanding that there’s always more to learn, and striving to improve how you interact with others. Always recognizing the need for improvement and growth.
Unfortunately, I’ve seen too many people think they’ve "made it" and stop growing. They become stagnant, doing little to improve themselves or those around them. Our organizations are ripe with these type individuals. But the truth is, leadership is a path you choose to walk every day, not a destination you reach and stop.
So, what about you? Are you taking daily steps to grow as a leader, or have you convinced yourself that you’ve already arrived? Leadership begins anew each morning—what will you do with today?
Comments