As leaders, many times we have to lay down, with our head face down, in the mud, in order for things to get done. Face in the Mud Leadership. Face in the Mud Leaders. What does this mean?

1. Instead of standing up and leading forward, many times we have to lay down and get out of the way.

2. No one likes to step in the mud, much less lay down in it, much much less lay down with your face in it. But sometimes as leaders we are called to sacrifice and get dirty.

3. Just because you may have to lay down in the mud, doesn't mean everyone else on your team has to do the same. Not all of your leadership principles being lived out aren't meant to be modeled by those around you.

4. Servant leadership sometimes means someone else walking over our back to get to the next big thing. And not always someone from your team- many times it could be you're getting walked over by the person you might have been arguing, competing, or at opposite ends with. You may have to serve truly as a bridge between side A and side B.

5. Face in the mud means no expectations or sense of "returning the favor" by those who might walk over your back or see you as the bridge to get somewhere. It's not a means to an end philosophy. Anything other than pure motives with this kind of leadership lived out will quickly be seen as unauthentic.

6. Face in the Mud doesn't mean you are wimpy or not willing to stand up- just the opposite. Face in the mud leadership is quiet strength. And being confident and competent as a leader.

(originally posted by me in 2009).