Everyone knows the story of Benedict Arnold. His name has become synonymous with “traitor” in the American lexicon. Yesterday was the anniversary of one of his more infamous acts as a turncoat. On January 5, 1781, Arnold led a British raid on Richmond, Virginia, destroying a large portion of the city. Arnold is an easy guy to hate, but his treachery is only part of the story.
I have always known that great leadership and great parenting have a lot in common. Like parents, leaders often make sacrifices for the sake of those they lead. Just like parenting, leadership sometimes calls for a generous dose of tough love. Good leaders recognize that long-term happiness and success may mean short-term disappointment or frustration for their followers.