“Don’t be ridiculous. Everybody wants this. Everybody wants to be us,” says Miranda Priestly, the iconic antagonist-protagonist in the 2006 movie The Devil Wears Prada. True enough, most employees are eager to climb the corporate ladder all the way to the top. Being the leader of your group is an arduous task – it involves possessing the right leadership skills and some guts.
However, once you’re a leader, it’s not all glitz and glamour. Despite being the single most powerful person in your building and earning six-figure salaries, there are many things to consider once you’re on top:
1. People will start to hate you, sooner or later – Whatever you do, people will start to hate you once you’re on top. It is inevitable that you would make unpopular decisions that could hurt other people’s feelings. No matter how advanced your leadership skills are; it is simply not possible to remain the crowd’s favorite and be everyone’s friend. Success comes with enemies, and you have to accept that. However, having haters doesn’t mean that you’re less of a leader. Don’t be bogged down by your emotions. Be a leader that knows how to separate the professional and the personal. Don’t take affronts to your leadership personally. Rather, take them as cues that could point to areas for improvement.
2. Face your fears – People tend to think that when you’re already on top, you have already become fearless. However, the truth is, there is nothing more alienating than being a leader. When you’re on top, you sometimes have nothing with you but your leadership skills. Often, leaders also feel fear of rejection, shame, discomfort – the very same fear that regular employees have. It is simply just not evident in most leaders, as they project an image of power. You, yourself could project such an image, but apart from that, you should also learn to think more about what you have to offer rather than what you lack. There is nothing more disappointing than an insecure leader.
3. People will disappoint you – For some people, it is difficult to be a leader because it puts you in a vulnerable situation wherein long-time friends will eventually disappoint you. As a leader, you have to learn that more often than not, people cannot live up to your expectations. In addition, the failure of your team affects you more than them because you’re the one in charge. At times, some people you trust might even betray you. It is important, therefore, for you to include the ability to understand and forgive in your leadership skills. You should always make back-up plans and be prepared for worst-case scenarios all the time.
4. You won’t have time for yourself – Leading a team will take a toll on your personal and social life. Even if time management is one of the strongest of your leadership skills, there will be times when you have to sacrifice your “me time” just to get things done. Being on top comes at a price, and social relations, more often than not, are part of that. Since this is an inevitable thing, you should find ways to make your closest friends and loved ones understand the situation. Make necessary adjustments so that you can maximize the little time you have left for yourself, your family, and your friends.
While these perils are inevitable, rest assured that for every tight situation, there are always solutions. When in doubt, trust your own judgment and your leadership skills.
© 2013 Incedo Group, LLC
