Embracing the Unpleasant
Doing the hard things can often lead to significant rewards and growth for your business.
“Difficulties mastered are opportunities won.” – Winston Churchill
Leadership often demands that we engage in tasks that are less than glamorous, but critical for the success of our organization. Understanding the value of these unpleasant aspects of leadership can transform your approach and enhance your effectiveness.
Angela Ahrendts, former CEO of Burberry, took on the massive task of revitalizing the Burberry brand that was seen as outdated and diluted. This involved making tough decisions like pulling products from unpopular markets and revitalizing the brand's digital presence, tasks that were challenging but essential for turning the company around. Her willingness to tackle these difficult aspects of leadership led to Burberry’s reemergence as a premier fashion brand.
Leadership isn’t just about giving inspiring speeches or making high-profile decisions; it’s also about the willingness to handle the tough, often overlooked tasks. Whether it’s addressing personnel issues, implementing complex systems, or making unpopular strategic decisions, these efforts are pivotal to sustaining and growing a business.
Effective leaders understand that their role involves serving the organization’s needs, even when it means stepping out of their comfort zone or facing tasks that do not offer immediate rewards. This mindset is crucial not only for personal development but also for building a resilient and adaptable organization.
Action Step: Identify a task or aspect of your leadership role that you typically avoid because it’s unpleasant or unrewarding. Commit to tackling this task with a new perspective, recognizing its importance in the larger context of your organization’s success.
Remember, leadership’s about doing what needs to be done, even when it’s not enjoyable. Embracing these challenges is what can set you apart as a true leader.
To learn more about how embracing the less appealing aspects of leadership can lead to greater success, be sure to check out our book of the week: “The Motive” by Patrick Lencioni.