What is the Payoff for the Hard Work of Leadership?

Leadership is hard work. After getting into a leadership role, some new leaders begin to realize how much
they don't know or how hard the leadership task can be, and they sometimes wonder why am I doing this? What is the payoff? What is the benefit?

Surveys show that people like leading because of the following reasons:

• To make a difference
• I want to influence others
• Leading is required by my position
• Nobody else was willing
• I feel I am skilled at leadership
• I enjoy the tasks that leading requires
• I want to make sure the right thing gets done.
• I want to lift others up
• I want to make a difference
• Personal challenge and satisfaction
• It's exciting to create positive change
• I get great satisfaction from doing it
• I have learned that my natural instincts have good impact upon those that follow me.
• I see the opportunity to help those who wish for direction. I also enjoy making decisions and influencing others as well as the business.
• I want to make a change to the world in which I work and live
• I appreciate diverse contributions from others it provides me with overall ability to effectuate my goals
• People are infected by my enthusiasm and follow my lead
• I want to create value and influence processes
• I feel compelled to move the project/ activity/ strategy forward for the good of the organization
• People want to be led by leaders who provide strength, inspiration, and guidance, and will help them grow and achieve their best.
• When a leader directs their organization to stand for something good, the members are dignified, and can be elevated above their own self interest to a higher purpose outside themselves, worthy of commitment, giving additional meaning to their individual lives and energy to their collective purpose.

Why do leaders around you do it? Which of these resonate with you? Which can you talk with a child about at their level?