Do You Have What It Takes to Be a Great Leader? Because it takes everything you've got.

I recently hosted the Next Level Leadership Summit in Connecticut, where the main focus was answering the following question: What does it take to lead?

The attendees were seasoned businessmen who ran multiple 7-figure businesses. They had a chance to hear from entrepreneurs in industries like real estate, finance, tech and health. The stories from each presenter gave proof that it doesn't matter what business you are in -- we all have similar struggles. But the biggest insight was the difference between the chase of success versus the pursuit of greatness.

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A leader doesn't chase success, because he knows the chase is never-ending. He doesn't care what others think, because he knows judgment kills growth. A leader doesn't worry about how he's going to make things happen, because he's focused on the why that drives him to find a way.

Anyone can achieve success, but it takes a certain type of individual to be crazy enough to pursue greatness. This message hit home for me because five years ago, I got tired of chasing success. I had hit a wall in my life, and everything seemed meaningless. The path I had chosen was no longer fulfilling, and I felt empty.

It made no sense for me to feel that way. After all, I had everything anyone could ever want -- a growing real estate business, a beautiful family and money in the bank. I thought I had reached success! So, what was wrong with me?

Was I being ungrateful? No. Was I depressed? I didn't think so. Sometimes I would ask myself, "What if I ceased to exist?" Would anyone care besides my family? What impact have I made on the world?

It became clear to me that it wasn't success I was seeking. I wanted to make an impact. I wanted to join the ranks of those whose deepest desire wasn't the chase of success, but rather the pursuit of greatness. The only way to do it was to become a leader.

Related: 6 Qualities of Greatness

Today, we oftentimes confuse financial success and leadership. Just because a man knows how to make money doesn't mean he's a good leader. I was making money, but I wasn't a leader, and all my success didn't mean I was making an impact.

Too many times as successful businessmen, we can't figure out how to transfer the skills we use at work into the other areas of our lives. Many of us settle for an average relationship with our significant other when we could have more if we simply applied some of the passion that fuels us at our business. The same goes for our health. We often take it for granted. If the same low-maintenance approach were taken with our work, most of us would be out of business. And, what about making an impact -- our higher purpose? Most of us settle for higher revenues and move through life like zombies without a purpose. We eventually burn out.

Greatness comes with a price. You have to be willing to lose it all. At that crucial point in my life, I made a decision to pursue my passion.

I decided to create the Next Level Experience. It was my passion business where I would help businessmen find the edge in their lives, and start living with purpose. I had to start from the beginning, and it was frightening and invigorating all at the same time. For the first time in long while, I felt like I was on the right path. My real estate partners thought I was crazy for putting so much time and resources behind it. They told me if I just put the same amount of effort, I would make 10 times the investment. But I was done chasing success. I wanted to create something that mattered, and I was willing to lose everything to make an impact. It was through that experience I learned I was ready to lead.

Related: How to Show the World Your Greatness

There's something about the fear of losing everything that shifts your focus. You turn the switch. I had no other choice but to lead. Five years later I've helped thousands of men find their edge and turned my passion business into multiple 7-figures.

So, what does it take to lead? Everything you have. The world doesn't need more millionaires and billionaires chasing success. The world needs leaders who are willing to do whatever it takes to help others along the way to greatness.