Why We Lead

For the past few days I haven't been feeling very positive about my job.  My yearly evaluation wasn't as I expected -- I had higher than average expectations, I guess!  It's not that I have reason to complain, it just seems harder to know what management expectations are any longer.   I am assuming that's what comes from an all new management team - and by new, I mean not only are they new to my BigBox Store, they're also new to our retail environment, most coming straight out of college, or from other competitors. My  "Solid performer"rating was fair, and for the most part I accept it.  (It gets rather difficult if I start comparing my rating to someone else who was rated the same -- and I work circles around him.)


There was a clear "A-ha" moment today when I checked my daily inspiration quote.  "Everyone wants to be recognized for a job well done.  But as most of us find out at some point, fame and attention does not come all the time.  If you find yourself upset by the lack of attention or recognition you're getting for your leadership, maybe you should reevaluate why you are a leader in the first place.  True leaders help their 'team', not for fame and attention.  Recognition is always nice, but its not often granted.  It helps to remember you are there to lead the group in front of you, not the ones watching behind you. Those watching will soon forget what you have done, but those you are leading will remember, long after you're gone."

Sometimes its easy to get all caught up in the moment, thinking the wrong things, assuming your job performance is poor because your efforts go unrecognized.  But its true, its the ones you are leading who are the reason for what we do.  Take my long time friend, Emily.  She and I started at the same BigBox store I was at in Ohio.  We worked so very well together.  She was young enough to be my daughter.  But I worked with her, taught her everything I know, and she went on to be a member of the management team -- and I couldn't have been more proud!  Yes, she put forth the effort to learn, but I did as well, teaching as much as I knew.  We're still good friends to this day, even with the distance between us. 

But that just proves the inspiration's point:  Its the ones we lead who will remember us. 
And that's why we're leaders.