It lurks in the shadows. As hard as we may try to hide, it comes out and makes its presence known. Every leader experiences it. To be honest, it’s just the way of things.

You have an incredible dream. It’s a vision that will transform an industry. The passion is high and you’re ready to give it your all. You become CEO or start your own business, and you suddenly discover it’s harder than you ever imagined.

All the decisions are now on your shoulders. Instead of someone handing down what has been decided, you’re now the one deciding. You no longer huddle with others near the coffee pot in the break room to complain about stuff in the office. People now avoid you. You and your choices are now what’s being whispered about as people pour a cup of joe.

Author and speaker Patrick Lencioni writes, “…all great leaders suffer, and that important accomplishments cannot be achieved without suffering. This has been true throughout history. What kind of suffering am I referring to? Loneliness, rejection, unpopularity, blame and criticism.”

Did you feel any of that? Identify with any of it? As a leader, some of that probably hit hard. Beyond what Lencioni listed, you’ll have to deal with stress, worry, cash flow, funding the business when reserves are low, never hearing a thank you, and no one is encouraging you for you are now the encourager of others.

How do you survive the suffering of leadership? How does one endure? The passion for the vision you want to achieve must be greater than the suffering you will encounter. Keep preaching the future to yourself. Remind yourself daily of what you want to achieve.

Don’t allow yourself to get stuck on a problem. The longer you remain stationary the more likely you are to succumb to the pressures that leadership brings. Keep moving. Don’t stop. Take the next step. Be obsessed with the future.

Lincoln fought melancholy. His stress would become so great he would keep a vomit bucket by his bed. The President kept several positive newspaper endorsements in his coat pocket he could read at any time to help him believe in himself and the future. Leadership is hard. But Lincoln saw the prize and knew it was worth it.

Maybe you’re in the thick of it right now. As you’re reading these words you may be considering shuttering the business. The criticisms are just cutting. Sleepless night after sleepless night is starting to catch up with you. It seems you’re always chasing a payment from a client. No one thanks you for the work you do to provide a job for others.

Lift your eyes and look to the horizon. That’s where your gaze must stay. To keep your heart encouraged and hope alive, you must see what others can’t see. Don’t allow others steal a dream you’re trying to build.

Don’t quit. Keep pressing forward. Your vision of the future requires a tight grip so don’t let go.

Leadership matters,

Brian