Why do we want to be followers instead of leaders? Let’s face it, it is much easier to follow than to lead. This taking the easy follow way ultimately turns into more work later in life. It is a trap that is hard to get out of. It is easier to study hard in school the first time and get the good grades. This will lead into better opportunities in the job market than to try to make up schooling at a later date in life. The ones that don’t study hard, find themselves having to fight the rest of their lives to get the good job they could’ve had all along if they were to just start with this goal in mind In the first place. This is learning to lead your own life and learning to lead or follow others, depending which avenue you decide to take.
Leaders are not born into leadership, leaders are created by the leader themselves. These people have found the way to lead others is to be in the right frame of mind. Those that follow are in the position of one of two things. They either have very low self esteem or they are extremely lazy when it comes to using the gift of the mind we are all given. Yes it is true that some have a higher IQ then others but this is not what makes a leader. A higher IQ just means it is easier to understand a problem put before them, usually it is known as book smarts.
Leaders don’t have to be book smart to lead others. Actually most leaders do not possess book smarts because book smarts consists of following someone else’s position that has been written down. A good leader pushes others to follow by example. This can be done in various ways, but it usually comes down to the leader coming up with their own ideas that others want to follow.
Leadership can also be dangerous. If the person that is leading others is not a good hearted person, this can lead not only the leader but also the followers of this person into destruction. Their is such a thing as good leaders as well as bad. We can look into history and find both sides of this coin. However in both cases, the one who has followers, has learned how to lead, whether it be for a good or bad cause. Let’s see some examples; Abraham Lincoln was what is known as a good leader, while Adolf Hitler would be known as a bad or destructive leader. Both of these men knew the secret to get people to follow them, but with completely different results. So when I say a bad leader, I am talking about a destructive leader. Adolf Hitler was good at leading people but for all the wrong reasons, so this makes him a bad leader.
If you want to be a good leader, you must be careful not to lead for your own selfish reasons. A good leader will always want the best for his or her followers. If you use your new found leadership skills for selfish reasons, you will ultimately fail and drag all your followers down with you.
Be a good leader and teach others to become good leaders as well. By teaching others to lead by your example, you will become an even greater leader than you ever dreamed you could be.
What things can you come up with that makes a good leader? On the flip side, what do you think makes a bad leader? I would like to hear your thoughts on this. As you come up with your responses to these questions and respond to others who share their ideas. Please be kind to others in your replies and Remember, we are all in this together.
