Leadership of any organisation is never easy. There are always competing thoughts, different approaches and personality clashes.

It can be a lonely place; often uncomfortable. It sometimes means taking forward issues that others close to you will argue strongly against.

At the beginning of this week, many were taken by surprise when Ulster Unionist Party leader Doug Beattie resigned his position.

It was a role that Doug himself put huge amounts of effort into, and like other leaders, he took his own unique route when carrying out his leadership duties.

I am very aware of the challenges of leadership in Unionism, with many people putting other issues ahead of the focus on Unionism.

A significant key to sustainable leadership is appreciating that those who sometimes disagree with you will stay with you and the organisation, even when disagreeing on a particular issue, but agreeing on your fundamental principles.

That is often difficult to achieve in some aspects of today’s society, when there are very strong competing demands and views from individuals.

We often hear the proposition of ‘their way or no way’ from those on the fringes or even at the centre of an issue or view.

This undoubtedly will lead to breakdown and division.

Taking a leading role in any organisation or political party within Unionism – or indeed, Protestantism – will always have additional challenges due to a complex mix of historical, political, social and cultural factors.

Unionist leaders must navigate complex and fragmented views that are heavily influenced by our troubled past, a past which is still deeply entrenched in people’s minds.

The Unionist community itself is not monolithic. We range quite broadly across the political spectrum uniquely within our own political ideology.

This broad church makes it challenging for any leader to satisfy the entire community, often leading to internal conflict and factionalism.

Many Unionists find their identity and culture is under siege, and often look to their leaders for reassurance.

This additional challenge in embracing and defending our cultural identity, while also dealing with the realities of a shared society, can often pull them in conflicting directions.

Unionism is often associated with traditional values, particularly in rural areas, while urban areas might lean towards more modern, progressive approaches, particularly on moral or social issues.

Only those in leadership who are willing to adhere to those views will receive the support of those who represent these views, irrespective of holding exactly the same opinion or values on wider issues – for example, the protection of the Union with the United Kingdom.

I believe the core and principal view of all Unionist parties and their leaders are very similar: to maintain the Union of the United Kingdom, and ensure Northern Ireland’s place within that.

I have said on many occasions – and will continue to say – that we must sell the benefits of being part of the United Kingdom.

I believe that as Unionists we must concentrate on the benefits of the Union; that is the basis of why we are Unionists.

Yes, we may have slightly different methods on how best to ensure the Union remains strong and viable, but fundamentally we are much better working together on these issues to provide a positive future for the generations to come in this country.

Leaders like the late David Trimble, who was very astute and very much ahead of his time, fell on the direction of his Unionism.

Even though some people questioned his Unionism, it was as strong as those who questioned it – it’s just that the path he was following for the betterment of Unionism was different to the others who were opposed to him.

He had a vision with ideas and views and took them forward, whereas other people may have had those thoughts and views but probably, in fairness, were not brave enough to take them forward.

Of course, that doesn’t mean he got everything right – he didn’t, but nobody gets everything right.

In leadership, it is vital that whatever direction you are taking, that you actually believe in it yourself.

David Trimble, Doug Beattie and others didn’t do anything that they didn’t absolutely believe in.

There were some things that they had difficulties in selling, but when they took that decision, they believed that it was right, and that was their primary focus.

What often happens is that other people who have opposed ideas coming forward often applaud and support those ideas when they are implemented and working.

As Unionists, we need to ensure that we focus on the issues that we can all agree on: the benefits of being part of the United Kingdom.

Even many who are not traditional Unionist voters recognise the advantages of Northern Ireland and the Union.

In politics, there are always differences of opinion; that is the nature of politics.

Doug Beattie’s Unionist credentials and military record cannot be disputed. He may have had a different outlook on some aspects of life and community than others have, but his Unionism was equal to that of others with a different life perspective.

I wish Doug well, and trust he will continue to make a positive contribution to Northern Ireland.

Tom Elliott is an Ulster Unionist MLA and former MP for Fermanagh and South Tyrone and Councillor for Erne North.