This is an encouragement to those who are limping in leadership.
The truth is, the best leaders I know have a limp of some nature. It may not be a literal, physical limp, or even visible, but if you are around them long, they will display remnants of a previous injury.
They may have had a failure that crippled them for a season. They may have messed up. They may have made a mistake. They may have lost their way. They may have even been tempted to quit, but they pushed forward, never to be the same again. With that in mind, here are seven ways to lead well, with a limp”
Don’t hide it – There is most likely a younger leader around you who feels they’ve lost their way…or will some day. They need your guidance. They need your encouragement. They need to see by example they can get up again and move forward.
Don’t be a martyr – No one enjoys a complainer or someone who is always making excuses. You suffered a failure. You had a setback. You made a mistake. Don’t wallow in your misery forever. It’s not an attractive characteristic in leadership.
Allow it to strengthen you – Allow your limp to make you a better person and leader. Let you limp strengthen your leadership abilities, even if it’s learning what not to do next time.
Be empathetic – Always remember others are limping too. If not now, they will be. They’re finding their way, just as you did.
Learn valuable lessons – Most of us learn more in the hard times than the easy times. Most likely, you will also.
Remain humble – Rahab of the Bible never lost her title as a harlot, even in the faith chapter (Hebrews 11). It reminds me that the past is my past. A great leader never forgets where he or she came from.
Limp to victory – Don’t give up. Great leader proudly limp across the finish line.
Are you leading with a limp? How has it shaped your leadership?
