I learned that leadership is hard. Leadership sounds easy in the books, but it is quite difficult in real life. I learned that leadership is difficult because it is a human interaction and nothing, nothing is more daunting, more frustrating more complex than trying to lead men and women in tough times.
I learned that you won’t get a lot of thanks in return. I learned that you shouldn’t expect it.
I learned that the great leaders know how to fail. If you can’t stomach failure, then you will never be a great leader.
Admiral William Harry McRaven, US Special Operations Command, in a speech at the United States Military Academy, January 18, 2014