Leadership is a difficult responsibility in any context and leaders are called to walk a hard path. Dan Allender in his book Leading with a Limp outlines five universal leadership challenges that every leader will face in their journey: Crisis, Complexity, Betrayal, Loneliness, and Weariness. Allender goes on to discuss the continuum of common responses to theses challenges:
| Challenge | Faulty | Response | Effective |
| Crisis | Cowardice | Courage | |
| Complexity | Rigidity | Depth | |
| Betrayal | Narcissism | Gratitude | |
| Lonliness | Hiding | Openness | |
| Weariness | Fatalism | Hope |
For example when a leader is challenged by complexity they often respond with rigidity, which flows out of a desire to maintain control. However, rigidity is static and obscures the opportunities often hidden in complex situations. Allender says every attempt a leader makes to control a complex situation results in further change making the situation even more unpredictable. On the other hand responding with depth frees a leader to hear the voices of those around him and consider their counsel even when it challenges the prevailing wisdom. A leader with depth lets go of the false belief that they can or need to handle every complex situation by themselves. They are no longer bound to convention or the dictates of maintaining a powerful image.
How are you choosing to respond to the leadership challenges you are facing? Where would you place your self on the continuum of responses?
Great article !