Life is full of boundless possibilities, but in order to transform a possibility into a reality we have to choose sacrificing the many in order to attain the one. Nothing is gained without something relinquished.
You can sacrifice and not love. But you cannot love and not sacrifice.(Kris Vallotton)
Sacrifice has meaning only in the context of a goal, dream or mission. In pursuing these, we often face obstacles which require us to forfeit physical or emotional comfort in the service of something that matters more. Often, the greater the dream or vision, the greater the shared sacrifice required to attain it. Sacrifice is easier when we stay focused on what we are choosing rather than what we are giving up.
When circumstances dictate, true leaders often must disregard their own safety and comfort. Day-to-day operations do not usually require this to happen, even in the military, but it is an ideal to which all leaders must consistently strive.
In the Marine Corps there is a leadership tradition that officers eat only after all of their enlisted personnel have eaten. Operationally this is not always possible, but it is something that we always keep in mind and try to achieve. Physical deprivations are one of the many burdens of leadership. Other than eating last or less, this might also include sleep deprivation, more work, more stress and aggravation, and less time with family.
There are, however, other issues that you may have to deal with as a leader that you might consider even more insidious. A good leader typically is able to communicate gratitude and appreciation for the service of subordinates. When that same level of appreciation does not come down to the leader from that leader's seniors, then a sense of bitterness and disappointment can set in due to the lack of recognition.
There is a man who would give his life to keep a life you love beside you says Charles Dickens
For some leaders, the only reason for enduring the trials of leadership is the sense of fulfillment they receive when others tout their accomplishments. For them, the extra pay, rank, or title is secondary to the recognition. While this is not a bad thing in itself, the motivation to be a leader for glory and achievement should be at least secondary to the real reasons for wanting leadership responsibility.
you have to be a leader for reasons that do not have anything to do with your own self-interest, or eventually you may have a hard fall. You must, I believe, for your own long-term sanity, wholly dedicate yourself to the purpose of leadership as an unselfish way to help others. True self-fulfillment only comes when you do not need to help someone, but you do it because you can. Done in this spirit, gratitude-whether from your seniors or subordinates-becomes a secondary consideration, and therefore eventually unnecessary, at least from an egotistical standpoint.
occasionally an enlightened fellow leader comes along, who lights the way when the path of leadership becomes dark and gloomy. It is at these times, when your sacrifices are understood by someone who has walked in your shoes.
The only honorable, desirable kind of fear that shouldn't be feared is the fear of harm on a loved one. It's the kind of fear that leads to self-sacrifice and the kind of fear where you would truly jump in front of a bus to save another.(Criss Jami)