I shared this thought with Ryan Russell who kept bugging me to write it down so he could post it on his blog. I finally did and thought I would post it on mine as well.

I have often noticed people who promote themselves as leaders push for themselves to be placed in a particular leadership position. Once in that position, if they don't seem to perform the necessary leadership needed for the position, it leads to disappointment in the self promoting person who was so quick to speak of their leadership prowess, but was unable to deliver the goods when it mattered. More often than not, that person is than "reassigned" in a very painful and difficult way.

Though probably taken out of context as far as leadership goes, there is a story in the bible found in Luke 14 where Jesus is having a meal at the house of a "prominent Pharisee" and after observing the situation for a while, shares these words:

"7 When he noticed how the guests picked the places of honor at the table, he told them this parable: 8 "When someone invites you to a wedding feast, do not take the place of honor, for a person more distinguished than you may have been invited. 9 If so, the host who invited both of you will come and say to you, 'Give this man your seat.' Then, humiliated, you will have to take the least important place. 10 But when you are invited, take the lowest place, so that when your host comes, he will say to you, 'Friend, move up to a better place.' Then you will be honored in the presence of all your fellow guests. 11 For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted."

The principle is simple, if you desire to be in leadership, then take the lowest place first and humbly work at demonstrating you ability to lead. There is much to be learned and developed by starting at the lowest place and often you have a greater opportunity to demonstrate your true leadership potential.

John Maxwell in his book "360 Degree Leader" talks about the ego challenges of being hidden in the middle of an organizations. He makes this statement, "Remember that consistently good leadership does get noticed." And when the leader of an organization notices a young leader who distinguishes himself by his consistent hard work and effective leadership, in time he will invite that person to a greater level of leadership, perhaps replacing someone who eagerly promoted themselves into a position they weren't really ready for.