“Great leaders want to have the ball when things are hard. Great leaders want to be the one leading people through—and out of—crisis.” —Clay Scroggins
Leading through the COVID pandemic has taught me so many lessons. I’ve coached and learned from other leaders throughout this season, and one thing that has stood out and continues to grow is the number of leaders who are taking off the mantle of leadership. They didn’t sign up for leading in this type of environment, and they are weary and burnt out.
I get that.
This has been a really difficult season. None of us have ever led through a pandemic before, with all the government regulations and restrictions, social distancing, and all the rest.
But I’ll tell you what I’ve noticed through this season.
Leaders want the ball.
Pastor and author Clay Scroggins noted “Great leaders want to have the ball when things are hard. Great leaders want to be the one leading people through—and out of—crisis.” That’s not to say they don’t experience down times – they absolutely do! But at the end of the day, when it’s time to make the choice whether they will get up off the ground again and take another step, they always do.
Mediocre basketball players don’t want the ball. Their fear drives them to avoid aggressively seeking it. What if I mess up? What if I miss? What if I fail the team? The incessant voice in your head reminding you of questions like these is not uncommon. But great leaders want the ball. They go after it, believing they can do something with it.
I want the ball. And if you’re reading this, I believe you do too.
It’s not going to be easy. But no one promised that it would be!
It will be worth it.
Do you want the ball? Are you ready to step up and into the future that could be, if only you will reach out and intentionally pursue it?
Remember what hall of fame hockey player Wayne Gretzky said: “You miss 100% of the shots you don’t take.”
Get the ball. Take the shot.
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