Leaders can be motivated by many things. Some leaders pursue a position of leadership simply because it’s a normal career path. Others become leaders in hopes of greater salaries and better benefits. And of course there will always be the leaders who are seeking power and control.
But by far the best leaders are those who have a true passion for helping and serving others. These leaders aren’t focused on what they can attain from their position, but instead are focused on what they can do from their position to truly make a difference.
Leaders who lead because they crave wealth, power, or control are not usually interested in developing new fully empowered leaders. They don’t readily give up their power or position to someone else, because they enjoy thinking they are indispensable and covet the perceived measure of security it provides.
But leaders who are focused on investing in others clearly understand this wisdom:
“A candle loses nothing by lighting another candle.”
– Father James Keller –
Leaders who give of themselves to invest in the lives of those whom they lead are not losing anything. Their flame is not extinguished or even lessened when shared.
It’s a simple fact that every flame will one day burn out. Every leader will one day be gone. But if that flame is shared—if those leaders invest in others—then the light will continue. Don’t be a leader who is reluctant to share. Be a leader who invests, who teaches, who engages, who empowers, and who develops new leaders. Share your flame!
