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Self-betrayal and Leadership
by Craig Rogers, co-founder of Abundant Life Academy
When we are lost, all alone, and seem to have no way out, and no one to lead us, we are in need of noble people, people of heart, people of empathy, people who care more about others than they do themselves. When we serve others, especially when we serve from nothing (having nothing left to give), we are truly noble, leaders, who have learned to struggle successfully against self-betrayal.
How can self-betrayal be a major part of being an effective leadership? How can one betray themselves? Perhaps another way to look at it is to understand self-betrayal. It sounds pretty silly to think that some one could, or would, purposely betray themselves. How? Not knowingly could then betray themselves, unless they were to take their own life. Or, can we? Can we betray ourselves in ways that we don’t even realize? Perhaps we can, and that is the exact mechanism that keeps anyone of us from reaching our potential, keeps us from knowing greatness, and keeps us from leading powerfully and effectively.
Self -Betrayal is anytime we know what to do, or know that we should do it, and fail. Self-betrayal is knowing that we can do what is right, what is noble, what is righteous, what is sacrificial, and what is beautiful, but choose not to do it, choosing to do something less, something easier, something more comfortable, something selfish. When prompted by our conscious we ignore the gentle soft pull of conviction deep within us and do the very thing we know will hurt ourselves and others, deny responsibility, eliminate risk, and avoid trusting and relying on others.
True leadership is when we deny our own way, our own comfort, our own pride and selfish need, and do what is right, noble, honorable, and lovely. True leadership is to follow the prompting inside, the directive from your conscious, the spiritual life that is inside all believers, true followers of Christ. And, when we fail the prompting and betray ourselves, true leaders take responsibility, and correct the problem. True leaders restrain the thoughts and temptations that would lead to betrayal of oneself, and consequential betrayal of many others. True leaders make the sacrifice to take on the burden, to follow through with nobility, to make each moment and action count, serving the best interest of a greater cause.
Deep depression comes upon some of us, and we fight it off, with varying success. In those moments where we can’t stand on our own, and we need others around us to stand in the gap and to take on the load, we learn true leadership. In those moments, when we can find empathy for others who are suffering, and choose to take their place, to share the burden, and to carry the load, we must give up our selfishness, and we have to trade suffering for comfort, assurance and power for uncertainty for faith. Very scary of anyone of us to follow a prompting of the conscious and take on the load of another, using pure empathy to stand with those who are suffering, especially when you would rather be in comfort and live stress free, no burdens.
True leadership is being the one who will live for those who suffer, speak for those who can’t talk, and to love those who are unlovable.
Related articles
- Parents & Troubled Teens: “People – the source of all ill’s & all hope” (craigstephenrogers.com)
- Momentum’s Solution: Troubled Teens Parent’s in Crisis (craigstephenrogers.com)
- Momentum Defined Part 3: Parenting Troubled Teens (craigstephenrogers.com)
- True Friendship is Rare: Parents are not Friends (craigstephenrogers.com)
- Submission to Authority – Teen Challenge Teaching (articles.troubledteensearch.com)
