I was on a long walk with a friend this morning – nearly 7 miles if you’re interested! He’s a friend I have now worked with for 14 years, a friend I trust and one who I have watched being committed to growing in his relationship with Jesus and in his leadership over those years.

As we walked we talked about how we have changed as we’ve aged. I was reminded of something that an unofficial mentor* of mine told me a while ago**.

When I was young” he said, “I was so sure of so many things, but now that I am older I am sure of much less than I used to be. But the few things that I am sure of now I am more certain of than ever”

I always admired the quote but in truth I wasn’t truly sure about what it meant until I started leading in a new role a number of years ago.

Confession time – I used to look at people in leadership positions and, in my youth and inexperience, always ‘knew’ everything that they needed to do to make things better. I couldn’t believe that they couldn’t see what I could see and I thought I would do a much better job than they could.

Then I started to lead……

I learned quickly how much harder it is to actually lead than to pretending to lead. It’s easy to pass remark and give your predictions when there is no real weight or cost on the decisions you make. It’s like thinking you would be a wonderful property tycoon because you have developed some Monopoly skills.

I’ve concluded leadership is much easier to do when you aren’t leading!

Now, I spend most days being incredibly sure of who God has called me to be, and what God has called me to do but I now realise that most other decisions come with more uncertainty and complexity. They could go one way or another, and both ways are often right, both ways will have their supporters and their detractors. In fact, it’s hard to remember a decision that I have made recently that has received unilateral support and I’m unsure if that is even possible anymore.

Knowing this can turn you one of two ways as a leader;

1 – You never make any real decisions – instead you delay, move it along, make a committee decision etc. this way no one can either agree or disagree with you. The major disadvantage is that you’ll find you won’t be leading for too much longer.

2 – You become free of the need to please others – if you already know there will be some who agree and some who will disagree you start to become more focused on making decisions that align with your convictions, calling and character. It doesn’t make you immune to people pleasing but it helps.

I think I am moving closer to number 2 than I have ever been but it doesn’t mean the temptation of the first option has disappeared. If you’re leading I think you’ll agree.

Leaders, lead on. Be sure of what you can be sure of, be bold. Keep growing.

*I use this term to refer to someone I respect but am far too nervous to ask to be an official mentor 😀

**I’m not sure if it is his quote officially or whether it’s borrowed from elsewhere!