leaders & failures

prompt: leaders & failures (general)

Leaders are never perfect. They don't go through success to more success to perfection. Some hit the ground running, while some fall and keep falling. Through this, some leaders keep their eyes focused on their goals and eventually get back up. And for some of these leaders who get back up, these failures keep them grounded and experienced.

In fact, I think more of leaders who show weakness or encounter failure. Not specifically because they fail; failure doesn't automatically garner respect in my mind. No, I'm talking about when the leader doesn't allow himself or herself to be put out of commission by their failures, someone who doesn't allow themselves to be demoralized. When they continue to lead and get back up, that's one thing that causes me to gain respect for them. Working through weakness and acknowledging one's own shortcomings is one important aspect of being a leader. A strong, unshakable will and a grounded spirit is something that makes a leader great.

Theodore Roosevelt and Abraham Lincoln had a lot of their own struggles. Roosevelt had a weak body, Lincoln failed in business and in running for a vice president, and both had opposition and criticizers. But reality is, nobody is without weaknesses. Struggles can make you stronger if you choose to learn from it rather than be beaten by it. These two are people that I would say chose to overcome their struggles and failures.