bur·den (bûr'dn) n.

1. Something that is carried.
2. a. Something that is emotionally difficult to bear.
2. b. source of great worry or stress; weight: The burden of economic sacrifice rests on the workers of the plant.
3. A responsibility or duty: The burden of organizing the campaign fell to me.

Leaders are burdened! Not in a negative or bad way, it’s just the way it is. Leaders carry a load others don’t, they see things others don’t see, and they have an invisible pile of bricks on their shoulders. If you are a leader, you understand, if you are not, you don’t, and that is ok.

For a long time I fought the burden, asking that it go away. Statements like, I wish I could just turn it off. I wish that I could just stop thinking about -whatever. I have learned the burden never goes away. No matter what you do, no matter your role, your title your job, etc. the burden always burns deep.

Leaders, you will always carry the burden, and I ask that you carry it with pride.  Stop trying to turn it off, stop trying to think about something else, stop trying to discount it...embrace the burden that is burning in you. Lead on!