Are you a leader or a follower? Are you like me and it depends. There are those who think that if you are not a leader you are not in charge of your own destiny. I believe that in certain situations it is just as important to be a follower as it is a leader.
As an effective leader it is important to accept situations where you are not the best fit for the leadership role. And as an effective leader, you have to be willing to follow. Sometimes though, a leader is born out of the situation. Sometimes it is not best to follow an ineffective leader. That doesn't mean that they are not effective overall. They just might not be effective for you, in this situation. It is in that time to just become the leader that you are destined to be. And you have to learn how is the best way to follow, for you. You have to feel whether or not the leader is in-sync with you. And that is something you feel.
I was recently in a situation where I felt the need to follow. I could have stood out as the leader. But I had the feeling that I should have taken the back seat. But then at some point somebody said “why don't you take the lead on this?” I was amazed. But even then I held back. I mean, I could have taken over. I'm like that. But didn't feel that I should in this situation. But I was asked again to take the lead on the whole thing. I was only so glad to oblige.
I have been in situations though where I had to walk away from the leadership that was being presented. It wasn't that I wanted to show them up, it was just that I didn't belong in the situation as it was. And it has been in that time that I chose to take a separate leadership role, not as competition, but as an alternative. Of course there are those who don't think that's this best alternative. But sometimes you have to go your own way. I mean, that happens all the time in politics, right?
Effective leaders come from all avenues. I can remember one of the first times I realized that the man who would be my husband was so dynamic. I watched him in a leadership role. He could get anything done. He had it figured out how it should run and was able to communicate that effectively. People followed him instinctively. I would have never tapped him for a leader.
There are some that don't have a clue how to follow. So how do? Well, the best way is to listen. Listen with your whole being. Don't just give it lip service. Listen. Ask questions if you don't understand something. Because you do have to understand something. If you are a part of a group, having tasks to complete, you have to be brave enough to accept criticism. And to be truly effective, ask for confirmation. You don't want to ask “is this right” every step of the way. That can get old fast. But if you are doubtful, ask. And don't shy away from the critism. That is the best way to get to be the best that you are.
Some people lead, some people follow, some people go home. Choose and go to work.
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