Many people have struggled with this question and have spent much of their time finding out if they can be or are leaders. Now why this is so is mostly because Leadership is usually seen as a strong character trait and has a positive image to it. One thing for sure, successful people tend to be effective leaders as well. And all of us want to be successful in whatever we do. So its not uncommon that we find ourselves asking at some point, "Am I a Leader?"
Lets do an activity and ask ourselves this question,
"Did the Leader or the Follower come first?"
*Spend a few minutes here thinking about the question before reading on*
It is important to note that there is no right or wrong answer, however coming to a conclusion whatever our answers may be, shows us our perspective on how we view the relationship between Leader and Follower.
Lets do an activity and ask ourselves this question,
"Did the Leader or the Follower come first?"
*Spend a few minutes here thinking about the question before reading on*
It is important to note that there is no right or wrong answer, however coming to a conclusion whatever our answers may be, shows us our perspective on how we view the relationship between Leader and Follower.
When I asked myself this question, I spent some time thinking about the logical flow of the makings of a leader. Firstly, without followers, how can one be truly a leader? and like wise, if we were all born leaders without followers, then who is the real leader?
These were questions that I reflected over and this image came into my head. I saw the origins of mankind and saw a group of early humans together. There was a great storm coming and the people didn't have anywhere to go. But one man stood up and said lets travel East where the weather is warmer. Another man stood up and said we should stay where we are familiar in. After many hours of debate, the first man stood up and walked towards the east. Following behind him were half the group. The other half chose to remain behind with the second man. Thus was born 2 early leaders of society.
Look at this story, and you will see that the 'Leader' emerged from the beliefs within the first man. The second man felt different about it and the 'Leader' in him took charge as his own beliefs came to light. Here we see my answer to the question on who came first. My answer is that they both came together.
These were questions that I reflected over and this image came into my head. I saw the origins of mankind and saw a group of early humans together. There was a great storm coming and the people didn't have anywhere to go. But one man stood up and said lets travel East where the weather is warmer. Another man stood up and said we should stay where we are familiar in. After many hours of debate, the first man stood up and walked towards the east. Following behind him were half the group. The other half chose to remain behind with the second man. Thus was born 2 early leaders of society.
Look at this story, and you will see that the 'Leader' emerged from the beliefs within the first man. The second man felt different about it and the 'Leader' in him took charge as his own beliefs came to light. Here we see my answer to the question on who came first. My answer is that they both came together.
Both Leader and Follower came together. There will be many times in your life where you feel different about something. Whether it is a decision or an action, these are opportunities for us to take a stand on what we believe. This is where we can step up to the plate and be a leader in our own right. There will also be times where we will feel the same about something. About a cause or a movement and we want to be a part of. That is when we become followers. Not just blind followers but followers who feel and think the same as their leader. I call this Passive Leadership.
Do not assume that leadership has to come from and with a Title. Anyone can be a leader. Leaders come and go throughout the course of history but what remains as fact is that Leaders are needed for change to occur. Every great and effective leader out there will tell you that Leaders are not born. They are bred. They spend countless hours of practice in doing what they have to do. They are persistent in getting what they want to achieve. They do what they have to with energy as they know that they did not get to where they are based only on skill or luck. There is an unaccountable amount of sweat, blood, and tears that go along with it. Its just that we don't see it. Or when these people are speaking about their success, they don't tell you really what happens behind closed doors.
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So remember, don't give yourself the excuse or blame fate as the judgement of whos to become the next great leader. If anyone is going to be a great leader, its you. As you have every right to stand up for you and what you believe and for those around you who believe in you. So when you ask yourself, "Am I a Leader?" Well answer, "YES!" cause only you have the key towards your own leadership. Enough reading, go and be a Leader starting today.
Do not assume that leadership has to come from and with a Title. Anyone can be a leader. Leaders come and go throughout the course of history but what remains as fact is that Leaders are needed for change to occur. Every great and effective leader out there will tell you that Leaders are not born. They are bred. They spend countless hours of practice in doing what they have to do. They are persistent in getting what they want to achieve. They do what they have to with energy as they know that they did not get to where they are based only on skill or luck. There is an unaccountable amount of sweat, blood, and tears that go along with it. Its just that we don't see it. Or when these people are speaking about their success, they don't tell you really what happens behind closed doors.
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So remember, don't give yourself the excuse or blame fate as the judgement of whos to become the next great leader. If anyone is going to be a great leader, its you. As you have every right to stand up for you and what you believe and for those around you who believe in you. So when you ask yourself, "Am I a Leader?" Well answer, "YES!" cause only you have the key towards your own leadership. Enough reading, go and be a Leader starting today.
Jonathan Szeto has been working with youth and teens for many years and wants to encourages everyone to find that Leader in them. For more information on Leadership for Teens, Becoming an Effective Leader and Using Leadership to Create Change please visit http://the-effective-leader.blogspot.com/
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