Every leader fights battles. Sometimes they fight battles with their team, and sometimes they fight battles with themselves. Often the battle that a leader fights most is a battle with themselves. If the leader loses the battles with themselves, they will often sabotage the power of their leadership. A leader can lose battles by second-guessing their own decisions or when they are not clear about where they are going.
In leadership, there are battles that the leader must fight every day. Margaret Thatcher said it this way. “You may have to fight a battle more than once to win it.” This statement is true of battles in war, and it is also true for the battles that the leader must fight with themselves.
4 Battles Every Leader Must Win Every Day:
1. Leaders need to fight and win the Battle of Conviction.
Great leaders know what they will and will not do. Sometimes it is easy for the convictions of the leader to become unclear. The convictions of the leader will be challenged by situations, by customers, and by the leader’s team. Leaders must have great clarity on the “no’s” of their life and leadership. As a leader, do you know what your “will not do” list is?
2. Leaders need to fight and win the Battle of Commitment.
After conviction comes commitment. Commitment can be defined as walking out in faithfulness the principles and values that the leader determines will lead to the success of the company. Leadership expert Kenneth Blanchard has written that “There’s a difference between interest and commitment. When you’re interested in doing something, you do it only when it is convenient. When you’re committed to something, you accept no excuses; only results.”
When a leader is committed, it causes the followers to ask why. The “why question” is a great leadership test. If no one on your team asks you “why” you are so committed to something, then you are not showing a high enough level of commitment.
3. Leaders need to fight and win the Battle of Consistency.
Leaders must show up daily. Leadership is proven day after day. Leadership is not a decision for one day; it is a decision for every day. John Maxwell states, “You’ll never change your life until you change something you do daily. The secret of your success is found in your daily routine.” Consistent leaders know that there are certain habits and behaviors that they need to do every day to stay fresh and push towards success.
I have committed to being consistent with 5 Habits Every Day:
1. Read Something Inspirational. (I encourage the Bible).
2. Take Time To Reflect and Review.
3. Listen to the Voice of Wise People.
4. Work on Something that will make a difference a year from now.
5. Laugh and find Joy.
Leadership is a daily decision. It means deliberating deciding to every day to be intentional about the day. Leaders have a purpose for the day, and they move forward with specific actions to bring about their ultimate plan and destiny. Many leaders doubt the power of one day, but if they practice consistency, they will be amazed at what they achieve.
4. Leaders need to fight and win the Battle of Contentment.
Many leaders struggle with contentment. They are always searching for more. It is good to stretch and grow, but it is essential to learn the art of contentment. Tony Gaskins said, “To be content doesn’t mean you don’t desire more, it means you’re thankful for what you have and patient for what’s to come.” Successful leaders learn the art of content and defeat anxiousness and worry to enjoy the journey to success.
Every day can be a battle. Leaders face all kinds of battles on their way up the mountain to achieve success. Those leaders that reach the peak of life and success will learn how to win the battles that they face on a daily basis.
Ken Gosnell is the owner of CEO Experience and the publisher of the CEO Executive Guide. Previously he was the CEO of the C12 Group Maryland. Earlier in his career Ken was with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and served as an executive consultant with Dale Carnegie Training. Follow Ken on LinkedIn.