“Respect the burden.”

Napoleon Bonaparte

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Ah.

 

 

So, yes, I wrote this in combination with Nelson’s ‘don’t fear the event.’

 

 

Two charismatic leaders who didn’t fear the event and respected the burden that came along with being a leader (and managing the event to the extent they could).

 

 

Before I get to the ‘burden’ it is interesting to note both of these excellent leaders of men were excellent delegaters.

Excellent delegaters.

 

 

Nelson?

Huge advocate of independent command. He was always clear on his expectations (‘when in doubt put yourself as close to the enemy as possible’) but delegated responsibility to individual commanders on how to do so.

 

Napoleon?

Huge advocate of independent command. He was a ‘reactor’ to the situation. Gave his general’s direction and independence to act depending on the situation (he just chose excellent commanders).

 

 

Regardless.

 

 

They respected the burden.

 

 

They understand the burden. And they understood the aspects of the burden.

 

 

Being a leader carries with it huge responsibility. Not only are you constantly under a microscope but while under the microscope you are carrying the burdens of leadership.

 

 

But I find it interesting that the great leaders rarely invest a lot of energy discussing ‘burden’ but rather responsibility to others.

 

“A leader is a dealer in hope.”

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Napoleon

 

 

Part of the burden is giving hope in the face of fear.

 

 

Encouraging action when there is a temptation to freeze.

Part of it is ‘showing the way’ or at least showing ‘what could be.’

 

 

And be believable.

 

 

And.

 

 

Part of the burden is decisions. Or ‘guiding independent actions.’

 

 

“Nothing is more difficult, and therefore more precious, than to be able to decide.”

Napoleon

 

 

There is a burden to make decisions … and to permit others to make decisions.

 

 

Part of the burden is understanding the importance of communication in leadership.

 

 

Included in that is the understanding of a responsibility for peoples actions even though you have delegated the actions.

 

 

 

“An order that can be misunderstood will be understood.” Napoleon.

 

 

 

Part of the burden is understanding the depth and breadth of the leadership responsibility. Understanding it does not rest solely in one decision or a great decision but rather the great and the many and the ongoing. It is a burden to be a leader because the weight remains regardless. Maybe the best example I have seen of this was on West Wing where the president character’s most common phrase spoken was “what’s next.”

 

 

Part of the burden is always knowing that what’s next is just as important as what just was.

 

 

Resting is rarely an option for leaders.

 

 

“Greatness be nothing unless it be lasting.” Napoleon

 

 

 

And lastly.

 

 

Part of the burden is understanding the role they play with some humility.

 

 

“A throne is only a bench covered with velvet.”

Napoleon

 

 

The heights of leadership is rare air coupled with a burden of many aspects.

 

The greatest accept the burden.

 

And even better?women leadership

 

They not only understand all aspects of the burden but accept the burdens with grace and character and intelligence and some characteristic of charisma.

 

 

So.

 

Don’t fear the event.

 

Respect the burden.

 

Great management lessons.

 

For life and business.

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Written by Bruce