This Is What Leadership Looks Like Sometimes
If you’re called to lead — in ministry, business, or life — there will be days like this.
Today, the posting plan got bumped. I had legal work to prepare — an eviction. Not something anyone enjoys. The tenant had a pattern of being late, but usually paid around this time of year. This time, he pushed it too far. And when leadership said, “File the eviction,” that was it.
Here’s the part many people don’t understand:
Leadership means you don’t get to sit back, criticize, and wait for someone else to make the hard call.
You are the one who has to make the hard call.
It’s not fun being the firm voice in the room. It’s not easy being the one people go silent around when you enter. But if you don’t carry the weight of leadership, someone else will suffer for your silence.
This applies to more than just property management. If we allow one person to disrupt order — because we’re afraid of being seen as “too harsh” — others will follow the example. The system crumbles. The ripple effects hit people who were doing the right thing. Eventually, the property’s lost. The opportunity’s lost. And no one wins.
You might not want to be the “heavy.” Neither do I. But leadership often calls you to that place.
We live in a time where authority is resisted and leadership is often resented. People don’t want to follow — they want to be right. And many confuse having knowledge with having wisdom. Everyone wants to lead… until it’s time to carry the cost.
You’ll see this in the workplace. In families. In churches. The moment someone with experience steps in with direction, those who feel insecure will either push back or check out. That doesn’t mean you stop leading.
There’s a balance.
Yes — lead with humility.
Yes — lead with compassion.
But also — don’t be afraid to lead with clarity and conviction.
Even Jesus flipped tables when it was time to cleanse the temple.
Today I had to prepare the paperwork to remove someone from their home. He has one more night, just a few more hours. If he doesn’t comply, I have to unlock the legal process.
It’s not personal. It’s responsibility.
- So if you’re called to lead — prepare yourself. Not for a title or a platform, but for moments like this… when someone has to stand up and carry the weight no one else sees.
