Leaders in difficult times!

If you are a leader, first, be proud of yourself. You are among the brave who have accepted the challenge of becoming responsible for making tough decisions, for yourself, and for others.

Now, more than ever, as leaders, we are called to guide others through periods of crisis, helping people to focus on key elements to remain sane, productive, and in the right direction.

Gather all your strength, all your courage, and all your desire to be the decisive leader that our teams, our families, and our society so desperately need.

To be a leader is a big responsibility, also a great privilege.

Most people will never flourish without a good leader. They will never accomplish anything that matters without the right encouragement and guidance from a true leader. You can be that person, that human being that changes everything to someone.

You just need to be willing to keep learning and growing, yourself, so you become more capable and empowered to do a great job as a leader.?

You must nurture the unbeatable desire to?serve?as a true inspiration to others, to become someone trustworthy, respected and admired, not for what you have, but for the positive impact you are able to have on other people’s lives.

Remember that you may never be perfect,?but you can always be excellent.

I like to say to my clients that while “perfection” is just a utopic unachievable idea, Excellence is simply doing your best, every single time, with the resources you have.

The idea of achieving “perfection” is nonsense and causes anxiety and frustration.?

On the other hand, the idea of pursuing Excellence gives us hope and the necessary humble attitude to evolve and persist, always trying to improve our performance and the quality or our decisions.

Think about the Olympics and you will probably remember at least one or two memorable moments that really touched your heart and inspired you.?

Sometimes we are amazed by the high level of precision the athletes demonstrate. Sometimes it is their strength, or speed. Sometimes the outstanding results they showcase. And most of us can only imagine what they have been through until they achieve that level of Excellence.?

But, beyond medals and victory, we can identify Excellence in effort, courage, determination, and character.

I love sports and I have been moved by many experiences. But, for me, maybe one of the most iconic moments I have seen was the unforgettable Women’s Marathon finish accomplished by Gabriela Andersen-Schiess in the Olympics of 1984. If you want to, search the internet for that moment. You will probably get emotional about it.

She did not win that marathon, but she gave the entire world the purest example of the essence of Excellence:

Doing her very best, at that moment, with the resources she had.?

Her body was deformed by unbearable cramps and doctors were concerned about her health. But the crowd – with watering eyes and clapping hands – witnessed a moment of courage, determination and utmost effort, that continues to inspire millions of people since then!?

Another great example of Excellence beyond victory is the Brazilian marathon runner Vanderlei Cordeiro de Lima, who was leading the marathon in Athens in 2004 at the age of 35. Almost at the end of the race, he was attacked by a man who pushed Vanderlei out of the track.?See the moment on YouTube.

Vanderlei was able to get back and finish that marathon, but that incident cost him the gold medal. He still managed to get the bronze medal, and he never said anything negative about the person who hurt that magical moment for him. Head held high, he proudly celebrated his third place.?

For his tenacity, positive attitude, and honorable behavior, he received the?Pierre de Coubertin?medal, a special award given by the International Olympic Committee to those outstanding athletes who have demonstrated honorable character.

What I am saying is simple:

Even if you are not the champion (the number 1, the most successful, the winner of that award, etc) right now, you can be in the right path to Excellence, as long as you continue to do your very best, every time, with the resources you have.

When you attempt to do something great, you become greater, no matter the outcome.

Therefore, to be the best leader for your team, you do not have to be perfect. You just need to do your best, every time, with the resources you have. And you will make a difference!

P.S.: There is a FREE digital version of the new book "The Best Leadership through the Worst Times: how intelligent leaders turn crisis into growth" for you to download at https://fabiomarques.com