Many people from little kids to professionals in their 50s want to be “in charge.” They want what they perceive to be the perks of being in a position of authority.

What most don’t recognize is the BURDEN that comes with leadership. When there’s an uncertain environment, it is the leader that absorbs the bulk of that uncertainty — creating a simplified, more structured environment for her team to operate within.

When a major decision needs to be made, and there is no obvious decision, it is the leader that bears the consequence of choosing incorrectly. When a difficult decision needs to be made, choosing between a bad choice and a worse choice, it’s the leader that has to live with deliberately making a bad choice — solely to avoid an even worse choice.