For various reasons, you have been placed in a position of leadership. For various reasons, people have either voluntarily or involuntarily decided that they would follow you. For various reasons, people have positioned themselves to be influenced by you.

But the fact of the matter is: your leadership position is a privilege not a right. Regardless of where you lead - in a home, business, school, church, non-profit, sports team, etc. - you are not entitled to your leadership position.

So with that in mind, Don't take the opportunity you've been given to lead for granted.

As a leader it is so easy to take for granted the fact that people show up. It's so easy to take for granted the fact that people pitch in. It's so easy to take for granted that people actually listen to what you have to say and take action on it. It's so easy to take for granted the simple fact that you actually have followers!

It's so easy to assume that this opportunity is something you earned. It's so easy to assume that no one could ever take this away from you. It's so easy to assume that people will always want you to lead them.

But the reality is, in a moment, it could all change. Moral failure. Financial misconduct. Relational strife. Health complications. Arrogance. Pride. Jealousy. Greed. Re-location. Re-organization. Re-alignment. Re-placement. Budget cuts. Buyouts. Backouts. Burnout. There are many ways in which the leadership opportunity you have today can be gone tomorrow.

I write these things not to scare you, but to remind you of just how blessed and privileged you are to have the influence that you presently have. In an effort to keep a grateful attitude towards the leadership opportunity you've been given, I recommend three things:

1. ENJOY IT.

Enjoy the meetings. Enjoy the conversations. Enjoy the brainstorming sessions. Enjoy the "tough conversations." Enjoy the challenge. Enjoy your leadership journey. Enjoy it now because you don't want to regret not having enjoyed it later.

2. APPRECIATE IT.

Appreciate the opportunity. Appreciate the privilege. Appreciate the influence. Appreciate your team. Appreciate your organization. Appreciate your supporters. Appreciate your leadership journey. Appreciate it now because you don't want to regret not having appreciated it later.

3. MAXIMIZE IT.

Maximize the impact. Maximize the influence. Maximize the reach. Maximize the depth. Maximize the productivity. Maximize the profit. Maximize the relationships. Maximize your leadership journey. Maximize it now because you don't want to regret not having maximized it later.

Enjoy your leadership opportunity. Appreciate your leadership opportunity. Maximize your leadership opportunity. Because when this season of your life is through, you'll look back and be glad you did!

Why do you think it's so easy for leaders to take their leadership position for granted? Please leave your comments below, I'd really like to know!