If Leadership Feels Too Easy, You Might Not Be Leading at All
If your leadership isn’t producing some level of discomfort, one of two things are true:
- You’re either in a rare season of blessing or
- You’re not really leading.
That might sound harsh, but every leader knows leadership is inherently disruptive. It shakes things up. It challenges the status quo. It forces people (including ourselves) to confront what’s broken, inefficient, or outdated. And that process is rarely painless.
So, if you’re feeling some resistance, frustration, or pushback in your leadership, it’s not necessarily a sign you’re failing—it may be the best evidence that you’re actually leading well.
Why Real Leadership Hurts (Sometimes)
At its core, leadership is about movement. It’s about taking people and products from where they are to where they need to be. And that journey—whether in an organization, a church, or a team—requires stretching, change, and, often, resistance.
1. Growth is Uncomfortable
Every major life change requires some friction. Organizations and teams are no different. When you lead well, you are:
✅ Challenging mindsets
✅ Introducing new ideas
✅ Requiring people to grow
And none of that is easy.
2. People Resist Loss, and Change Creates Losses
Even when change is obviously good, people default to comfort, not disruption. Leading through resistance is frustrating, but it’s necessary. Some people will dig in their heels. Others will passively resist. But progress never happens without disruption.
3. Leadership Requires Hard Decisions
Leadership isn’t democratic. It’s not about keeping everyone happy. It’s about prioritizing the mission over personal preference. That means making tough calls, confronting problems, and embracing the weight of responsibility—even when it’s unpopular.
The Right Kind of Pain
Of course, not all pain is good pain. Some leaders create unnecessary frustration, burnout, and resentment. That’s toxic leadership—not transformational leadership.
The right kind of pain—the kind that comes from pushing through necessary growth—is a sign that real leadership is happening.
Signs of the Right Kind of Leadership Pain
✅ Your team is being stretched, but not broken
✅ Your mission is moving forward, even with resistance
✅ You are making progress, not just maintaining comfort
If you’re facing resistance, don’t assume you’re failing. It might prove that you’re leading exactly how you should be.
Call to Action
What’s one area in your leadership that feels too comfortable? Maybe it’s a conversation you’ve been avoiding. A change you know needs to happen. A challenge that feels too big to tackle.
Don’t let comfort keep you from progress. Lean into the discomfort and lead boldly.
Quotes for Inspiration
“If there is no struggle, there is no progress.” — Frederick Douglass
“The price of greatness is responsibility.” — Winston Churchill
“Pain + Reflection = Progress.” — Ray Dalio
Resources for Further Learning
- Leadership Pain: The Classroom for Growth by Samuel R. Chand
- Dare to Lead by Brené Brown
- The Obstacle Is the Way by Ryan Holiday
One More Thing…
If you found this helpful, please pass it along to other leaders (and encourage them to subscribe!).
If you’re ready to accelerate your leadership, I’d be honored to help. Visit gavinadams.com to explore my systemic approach to leadership development and schedule a 30-minute conversation.
If you’re a church leader, be sure to visit the Church Accelerator Community.
Leading With You,
Gavin Adams
