In my experience, the word “leader” can quickly bloom into a big topic. Most people overcomplicate what it means and what it takes to become a great leader. I’ve come to believe that leadership is about heart—it’s about who we are and how we choose to lead. I wrote this book to help leaders who truly want to make a difference in people’s lives.
My nephew Luke nailed the essence of the definition. He was applying to run for a position on the student council at his school. The first question in his application was, “In your opinion, what makes a great leader?”
Luke wrote, “A leader is someone willing to help others.”
You will notice that I often use the term “aspiring leader” in this book. This is my way of signaling to you that leadership is an infinite journey—there is no final line to cross. We must always be self-evaluating how we serve others. We must also evolve with the times as they change.
As you finish reading the book, here is an important question to consider:
Here are the organizing principles I used in the book, with suggestions about how you can use The Gift of Struggle with other leaders.
Part One is called “Who Am I?”; like any good story, the beginning always sets the tone. It all starts and ends with who you are and what you believe. You must first look inward and lead yourself before you will be great at leading others. This is foundational to any leadership journey. If this foundation isn’t strong, you will struggle to build on a life that gives you fulfillment. Most leaders fail to put enough emphasis on this part of their story because it requires a level of vulnerability and courage they are afraid to tap into. I understand. It’s also unfortunate. Your willingness to share determines how effectively you will build trust with others. This is where you share your story and what you imagine for your group.
The middle part of a story gets messy as you try to figure out the way you want to lead. The challenge for many leaders is the discomfort and self-doubt that comes with all the mistakes you will make during this part of the journey. You start by owning the part you play in the conflicts and struggles that arise. Leaders are students, always getting better at what they do and working with the people they lead. Better questions expose better answers and more truth. This part of your journey is where you begin building on the strong foundation. You will start to understand the power of compassion and generosity once you get a grip on how you will lead. You ultimately learn that the long way really is the shortcut.
This phase of the journey is all about choice. The final part of a good story is where things start to come together. Once people know why you lead and how you lead, you must consistently guide them so they can benefit from all the hard lessons you’ve learned. Not everyone will make it through to the end of the journey. Leaders work especially hard at bringing people together to multiply their potential. Leaders work with their teams to balance priorities and resources to produce results for the team and the organization.
Guides to Help You Learn from Struggle
In Chapter 7, I shared that the best leaders are always learning. Although my hope is that my stories have helped you understand how your struggles will help you, I have often needed more than my desire and my will to get to the gift at the heart of each hardship. Books are the greatest resource that I can recommend to you. Through the years I have placed my best guides on a separate shelf I call “Bible Row.” I revisit them frequently. They make me think and ask myself better and bigger questions, guiding me to identify the gifts in my struggles. The following is a short list of some of my favorite leadership books from Bible Row:
The Advantage: Why Organizational Health Trumps Everything Else in Business — Patrick Lencioni
The Speed of Trust: The One Thing that Changes Everything — Stephen M. R. Covey
Start with Why: How Great Leaders Inspire Everyone to Take Action — Simon Sinek
Great by Choice: Uncertainty, Chaos, and Luck—Why Some Thrive Despite Them All — Jim Collins
Great Leaders Ask Great Questions: Your Foundation for Successful Leadership — John C. Maxwell
For other lists of my favorite books, visit bobby-herrera.com.
Every lesson in this book has the strength of my parents. Mama, tus sacrificios nunca se perdieron en mí. Siempre me siento humilde, agradecido, y orgulloso de todos los regalos que me brindaron tus luchas.
My Team One: I’m so proud of you. Roslyn, you have always given me your unconditional support. Your love and advice over the years are embedded in all these gifts. “Thank you” isn’t enough for how happy you’ve made me.
My Coconuts—Santino, Griffith, and Sofia, above everything, all I want is to be your All-Pro Dad. Los amo con todo mi corazon.
Ed, my brother, best friend, and the other kid on the bus: I love you, brother.
The Circle, your courage and character has always inspired me. You’ve helped me build something very special for many. I’m grateful to be a part of your story and carry the coin.
Mrs. Roach, my second mom, I love you. You taught me how to be kind.
Team Two, the climbers at PG, you have supported my journey the last sixteen years. Your passion has built what PG has become. The best part of our story is being written.
Dr. Joe, Conquistador to King! I raise my glass to you, señor. Love ya, Doc.
Jim, you changed my life. I will pay your generosity forward.
Pat, your fables pulled me up the mountain. Every aspiring leader needs your work.
Amy, you read the first version and encouraged me every step of the way. Gracias!
Bill, you always shoot me straight. You can’t run from this compliment, señor! Grateful.
Dennis, at our first dinner you asked when the book was coming. You’re a big reason it’s here.
To my army of mentors: the advice you have given me—and most importantly, the time you have given me—was priceless. Your belief in me always gave me hope.
Davia, you rock, señorita! Your gift for storytelling inspires me.
Todd, the more excited you became about this book during this journey, the more nervous I became. I’m now as excited about the friendship we will develop as I am about this book.
Ray, thanks for jumping on board, and I know I’m going to feel the same about you. Gracias!
A Bard Press book
Publisher: Ray Bard
Deputy Publisher: Todd Sattersten
Substantive Editor: Davia Larson
Copyeditor: Sarah Currin-Moles
Proofreading: Leah Brown and Deborah Costenbader
Text Design and Production: Joy Stauber, Stauber Brand Studio
Jacket Design: Joy Stauber, Stauber Brand Studio
Ebook and PDF Development and Production: Pariah Burke
Illustrations: Chuck Gonzales
Many thanks to our early readers who provided valuable comments and recommendations:
Whitney Barton, Joe Bogar, Scott Carter, Joe Currier, Frank DeCastro, Lisa Faithorn, Clint Greenleaf, Josh Hauser, Ed Herrera, Amy Hiett, Melissa Lombard, Tom Mehl, Jay Papasan, Jen Pasquier, Jack Phillips, Toby Quinton, Bill Soteroff, Jim Talbot
The Gift of Struggle: Life-Changing Lessons About Leading
Bobby Herrera
Published by Bard Press, Austin, Texas
Copyright ©️ 2019 Robert Herrera
All rights reserved.
Printed in the United States of America.
Permission to reproduce or transmit in any form or by any means—electronic or mechanical, including photocopying and recording, or by an information storage and retrieval system—must be obtained by contacting the publisher.
Bard Press
info@bardpress.com — www.bardpress.com
For additional copies, contact your favorite bookstore or email info@bardpress.com. Quantity discounts are available.
ISBN-13: 9781885167873
ISBN-10: 1885167873
Publisher’s Cataloging-in-Publication Data
Names: Herrera, Bobby, author. | Gonzales, Chuck, illustrator.
Title: The gift of struggle : [life-changing lessons about leading] / by Bobby Herrera ; [illustrations: Chuck Gonzales].
Description: First edition. | Austin, Texas : Bard Press, [2019] | Subtitle from copyright page. | “A Bard Press book.”
Identifiers: ISBN 9781885167873 | ISBN 1885167873 | ISBN 9781885167880 (ebook)
Subjects: LCSH: Herrera, Bobby--Career in business--Anecdotes. |Leadership--Anecdotes. | LCGFT: Anecdotes.
Classification: LCC HD57.7 .H47 2019 (print) | LCC HD57.7 (ebook) | DDC 658.4092--dc23
First Edition: First Printing, June 2019