Managers and supervisors for a particular 24-hour service company have a reputation throughout the organization of having “Arrived”.

The prevalent mindset of each of these assumed “leaders” is they work out of their offices, or in the office of their remote locations, have their staff meetings, and work only 40 hours. In addition, they all gather monthly for an off-site lunch meeting at a local restaurant and spend two hours of company time, and expense, at this “meeting”.

Meanwhile, the staff are required to work mandatory overtime, solve their own problems, and pick up the pieces of communication. And during off-hours, they get rebuked for calling management for questions or assistance as it’s “their day off”.

Does anyone see a problem with this type of leadership mentality?

Leadership is a responsibility, a call to duty. It is never a right of passage, a reward for effort (or being on the management team’s “favored list”). Leadership is a trust placed on individuals to set the culture and tone for everyone through serving, supporting, and casting vision.

Leadership is not a 9-to-5, “eight-and-the-gate” job. It requires being present wherever there is a need, having a ready answer for every question, and working alongside your people to build connections and support the core mission of the organization.

Leaders must be visible, available, and humble. They must set comfort and convenience aside for the increased responsibility that comes with the role. Leadership is not complacency, but constant change and challenge to make everything and everyone around you better each day.

The example above is a microcosm of a prevalent leadership mindset today. In a world where many leaders – political, business, clergy, parental, social and volunteer – feel they have “arrived”, we need a new generation of leaders who have a call to duty to sacrifice and pave the way for that vision they have been charged with to be realized. In addition, they must be willing to sacrifice their gains for the benefit of those who are influenced by them.

Leaders – are you willing to honor your call to duty and give up entitlement for the greater cause? The best leaders always do.

(image: pixaby)