A Warning To All Successful Leaders

This is a warning to all successful leaders.  It is critical to your leadership that you always guard against arrogance, pride, and egotism.  These attitudes tell me the following:

• “I don’t have to prepare like I used to.”
• “I no longer have to improve.”
• “I can now cut corners.”
• “I can wing it and still get by.”
• “I don’t have to work as hard anymore.”
• “I don’t have to be thankful.  It all depends on me anyway.”
• “I can relax and not be as diligent.”
• “I’m already smart enough.”
• “I’m already talented enough.”

Those voices are wrong.  Those voices will lead you astray.  Those voice will take you down. 

While I’m busy patting myself on the back, the competition is either gaining on or passing me.  Also, it has been my experience that when arrogance and pride creep into my life, it is usually accompanied by a humbling fall from grace.

If anyone has a right to be arrogant, it is Andrew Luck, the incredible quarterback of the undefeated Stanford Cardinals.  Coming off a triple overtime victory over the USC Trojans, ESPN draft expert Todd McShay says, “He’s more advanced than any quarterback in college football.”  He goes on to add that he is “about to give Luck the highest grade he’s ever given a prospect.”   

However, Luck remains incredibly grounded.  In a recent interview with ESPN’s Steve Young, Luck gave the following comments which all speak to the humbleness of a great leader:

• “Just because you come back doesn’t mean football’s going to get any easier.” – Luck on returning for his Senior season.
• “You don’t want to abuse the trust a head coach gives you.”  This speaks to being under and respecting authority.
• “It’s nice to hear good opinions about yourself but when you start subscribing to what other people say, your head’s going to get in the wrong  place and you’re going to do a disservice to your team.”

Luck will likely win this year’s Heisman Trophy.  He is a lock to be the top pick in next year’s NFL Draft.  Either the Indianapolis Colts or Miami Dolphins will most likely make him as the face of their franchise.  He has a right to prideful and arrogant.  But he is not and neither should you or I.

Leaders, here is your call to action.  Stay humble.  Stay thankful.  Stay grateful.  Keep being diligent.  Keep improving.  If you do these things, your leadership will likely continue to advance and influence increase.

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