Senator Olympia Snowe. . .You may love her; you may hate her. And sometimes you may feel both. No matter what emotions she elicits, Senator Snowe has become the latest politician to announce her retirement because of the polarizing nature of the national political arena. After 17 years in the United States Senate, and nearly 40 years of political service to the people of Maine, Senator Snowe announced on February 28 that she would not seek reelection this year. In her announcement, she stressed her continued sense of responsibility and motivation to serve, but she said, “I do find it frustrating, however, that an atmosphere of polarization and ‘my way or the highway’ ideologies has become pervasive in campaigns and in our governing institutions.” This announcement reminds us that leadership is exhausting, and one of the most important leadership attributes is stamina.
Whether we are leading a small team or serving as a United States Senator, leadership can wear us down. This is especially true when we feel we are constantly fighting the same battles over and over again. Senator Snowe earned a reputation as a “moderate” in the Senate. This label has made her a key player in some of the hardest fought political battles. She and other moderates often play the role of bridge-builders between the competing camps. This position also makes her a target of attack from all sides.
Regardless of one’s political views, it is important to acknowledge the leadership role played by people like Senator Snowe. They work tirelessly to identify shared aims and to build consensus around contentious issues. This function isn’t unique to politics, and neither is its exhausting nature. Every organization needs bridge-builders to identify common ground and enable lasting change, and this requires extraordinary levels of energy and stamina.
How do we maintain our stamina in these types of situations? How do we help others recognize when they are at risk of exhaustion? What can we do to build stamina in ourselves and those we lead? The first thing is to commit ourselves fully to the task we face. This means knowing how our work serves our values and beliefs. I am often amazed at how invigorated I feel after a long day of doing something important – as opposed to doing just a few hours of busy work. I doubt Senator Snowe would have lasted so long in politics if she wasn’t absolutely committed.
Next, it is critical that we keep things in context. It is much easier to deal with frustrations and setbacks when we remained focused on our long-term goals. Setbacks become less exhausting when we recognize how they fit in the bigger picture. Our long-term perspective also helps us recognize that some setbacks are recurring because we have only dealt with the symptoms, not the underlying issue. Maintaining perspective also helps us pick our battles. Leadership sometimes means walking away from a fight.
Stamina is far more than maintaining the physical energy to endure when things get tough. It also involves the intellectual, emotional, and spiritual energy that keeps us going. Leaders recognize that without energy, they are useless to those they wish to lead. Recharging our batteries and encouraging others to do the same is critical to long-term success and fulfillment. Sometimes this means stepping down as leader. Senator Snowe’s stamina enabled her to endure for 17 years in the United States Senate, and she has earned her respite from this exhausting environment.
