Leader? You Sure About That?

Everyone is a leader. That has been a trending idea in American culture since I was a kid. Everyone is special and has a unique talent and should be rewarded with a gold star for everything they do. That mentality is fine. When you’re twelve. Then you grow up and realize that everyone is different. Some people are truly naturally inclined to be leaders. They are well-liked, command respect and work hard. By that same token, some people were destined to be followers. And that’s fine too. There’s nothing wrong with being a follower. Followers adapt easily to their environments and they enjoy the order and structure that comes from being told what to do. This system coexists beautifully. It has done so for centuries.

            Where this method runs into trouble is when followers try to be leaders, or even when leaders act as followers. It becomes a whole mess of a situation. Leaders despise having orders for what to do, and it is particularly difficult when they have no say in what they’re being told. Leaders are visionaries. They see beyond what exists to what has the potential to exist. When a follower, who has difficulty seeing beyond the present, wants to direct a leader, that’s when difficulty arises. Followers can’t see where a leader wants to go, but it’s the leader’s role to make them believe in it anyways. Leaders see where followers are going and don’t like it. The only way this system is ever going to work is if each of these types of people discover which one they are and adheres to it. Simon Sinek explains it quite well:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=Vwbkz0DSkHU

            Please for the love of all that is good and green, find out what you are. Pick something you like to do and get involved. Do you like the direction in which the organization is headed? Great. Take direction from the executives and keep working to make it better. That makes you a follower. Want to change to direction, or even just focus on an aspect of the organization that you feel isn’t receiving an adequate amount of attention? Get even more involved and be the change you want to see. Be a leader, because that’s what will make you happy.

            One of the worst situations I’ve ever been in is watching a follower attempt to lead. It’s awful. Even the most loyal of followers will abandon ship. Leaders know that they have to excel, whereas a follower who leads will tend to stick to the rules. They won’t take risks, and as a result, they won’t do well. The sooner you figure out who you want to be and what you’re good at, the better it is for everyone involved. Do you what you love and love what you do.