Leading While Bleeding

Leading While Bleeding

Leaders must be perfect in all of their ways. They aren't allowed to get it wrong and they certainly cannot have a bad day. The only people who should miss the mark and mess up are the "normal people". Where did we develop these outlandish standards from? Why do we carry such unrealistic expectations of people? Why have we exalted leaders and placed them on pedestals their human natures cannot sustain them on? The unfair opinions and judgments are making leaders avoid seeking help because society expects them to be invulnerable and without flaws. Sadly, nobody seems to realize the damage being done. 

Across the world, leading while bleeding has becoming dangerously common. What is leading while bleeding? It is when a person in a leadership position is fulfilling their assignments and responsibilities but they're internally struggling with issues no one knows about. Daily they render solutions to everyone's problem but they can't figure out their own. When they are in front of people, their countenance suggests that they have it all together when the truth is they're secretly falling apart. The pressure of being a leader is undeniably real. In fact, it's so real, most gifted people wish they would have left the gift box unopened. They wish their gift didn't make room for them in the public eye. The reason they feel this way isn't because they're unappreciative of their call or position but mostly because no one seems to understand that, although they are gifted, they are still human. Gifted people live a real life with real issues and they have real feelings just like everyone else. Many leaders hide who they are to avoid being judged by who they lead. I never understood the concept of judging and condemning those who selflessly help enhance our lives through their leading. Maybe if we had less critics and more intercessors and supporters, our leaders wouldn't suffer in silence.

JUST FIX IT

It is medically proven that internal bleeding can be life threatening without medical attention. This same veracity is applicable to individuals who are bleeding as they lead. What is causing your bleeding doesn't matter. What matters is that you seek help. You know the areas that you're struggling in; therefore, seek suitable help. Don't force yourself to be perfect because you were never created to be perfect. Your tenure as a person of influence will include issues you won't always have the ability to cope with alone. It's important that you have a safe place where you can share your heart, voice your fears, and be honest about what is wrong. Mentors and confidants are necessary. Take time to build healthy relationships with compassionate, understanding people. Find at least one person who can relate with and accept the person you are when you are off the platform. It's nice having people celebrate and respect you for the position that you hold but what you really need is someone who you can be vulnerable with behind the scenes. 

With all that said, leaders, I urge you to just fix it. Sometimes fixing the issue means taking a break from everything to work on yourself. Whatever you have to do it, do it! If you avoid the problem it becomes bigger than it has to be. Your gift is too valuable to be lost at the expense of a problem you refused fixed. Trust me, it's really okay if you can't do it in your own strength. We all need somebody at some point. You just have to find who's really for you! There is somebody who is genuinely concerned about your well being and your assignment. Ask God for discernment to identify that person and grace to wholeheartedly trust them. You don't have to do this alone......so don't!