Leadership is Not About Being a Follower

                               Photo by F . Plastino        

In a world where leadership is frequently misconstrued, it is imperative to re-examine and recast what true leadership entails. Many people think that being a good follower comes before being a successful leader. Although there is some truth to this idea, it oversimplifies the complexity of leadership. In its purest form, leadership goes beyond simple following. It involves creativity, bravery, vision, and the capacity to uplift and direct people toward a shared objective. This blog post explores the core of leadership and highlights the key distinctions between it and following.

The Essence of Leadership

At its core, inspiration and influence are the essence of leadership. The job of a leader is to establish direction, inspire followership, and mobilize them to work toward a common objective. This entails not just doing work management but also encouraging creativity, empowering people, and keeping an optimistic outlook. The capacity to see beyond the current situation and consider what could be as opposed to what is defines true leaders.

Vision and Innovation

Leaders are visionaries. They have the capacity to predict possibilities and possibilities that others might overlook. It is this visionary quality that distinguishes leaders from followers. While a follower may excel at carrying out assignments and making sure everything works properly, a leader's job is to innovate and promote change. For example, Steve Jobs was more than simply an Apple boss; he was a visionary whose creative ideas revolutionized entire sectors. His leadership focused on forging new routes rather than following ones that already existed.

Courage and Risk-Taking

Leadership involves a significant degree of risk-taking. Leaders must make tough decisions, often in uncertain conditions. This requires courage and the ability to stand firm in the face of adversity. Followers, on the other hand, tend to operate within defined parameters and are less exposed to the risks associated with decision-making at the leadership level. Nelson Mandela is a good example of this courage; his leadership was marked by his willingness to stand against apartheid, facing immense personal risk for the greater good.

Here's a great video on Leadership by Robin Sharma 

Empowering Others

The essence of true leadership is enabling people to reach their full potential. The development and success of a team is frequently a good indicator of a leader's effectiveness. This empowerment includes more than just assigning tasks; it also includes coaching, mentoring, and giving others the tools and resources they need to succeed. A leader is aware that their job is to uplift their group and foster an atmosphere in which members may offer their best suggestions and efforts..

Mentorship and Development

Leaders invest time in developing their team members. They act as mentors, providing guidance and support to help individuals grow both personally and professionally. This aspect of leadership is not about being a follower but about fostering a culture of continuous improvement and learning. For example, Bill Gates has emphasized the importance of hiring smart people and then empowering them to achieve great things, highlighting how effective leadership is rooted in the development of others.

Leading by Example

While leadership is not about being a follower, it does involve setting an example that others can emulate. This aspect of leadership is often misunderstood; it is not about blending in but about standing out in ways that inspire others to follow. Leading by example means demonstrating the values, work ethic, and integrity you expect from your team.

Integrity and Ethics

The behavior of a leader sets the standard for the entire group. Establishing trust and respect requires acting with honesty and morality. Honest and responsible leaders foster a culture of integrity in their followers by modeling integrity themselves. This was demonstrated by Mahatma Gandhi's leadership, who inspired millions of people to follow in his footsteps with his steadfast dedication to nonviolence and the truth.

Decision-Making and Accountability

Leaders are responsible for making decisions that affect the direction and success of their organizations. This responsibility requires not only the ability to make tough choices but also the willingness to be accountable for those decisions. Accountability is a hallmark of effective leadership; it signifies a leader's readiness to own both successes and failures.

Strategic Thinking

Strategic thinkers make for effective leaders. They consider many possibilities, assess complex circumstances, and make well-informed decisions that support their goals. In contrast to a follower, who may prioritize strategy implementation over strategy development, this strategic side of leadership is very different. The leadership of Jeff Bezos at Amazon is a shining example of strategic thinking; his capacity to foresee market trends and take risky actions has propelled Amazon's unmatched expansion.

The Misconception of Followership in Leadership

A widespread misperception is that great leaders must first be excellent followers. Although comprehending the mechanics of followership might yield insightful information, it is not the same as leading. A unique set of abilities and qualities that transcend followership are needed for leadership.

Beyond Followership

Followership involves compliance, support, and execution within established guidelines. Leadership, however, is about breaking new ground, challenging existing norms, and leading change. While followers play a crucial role in supporting leaders, the transition from follower to leader is not a simple progression but a significant leap that involves adopting a completely different mindset.

Conclusion

Being a leader is about inspiring others, bringing about change, and establishing a vision. It calls for creativity, bravery, accountability, and empowerment. While having a good knowledge of followership might be helpful, what really defines leadership are the special traits that come with it, such risk-taking, strategic thinking, and the capacity to uplift and develop others.

True leadership, in essence, goes above the limitations of followership. It's about opening doors for others, generating fresh opportunities, and directing others toward a common goal. Leaders are the bearers of change, the forward-thinking visionaries who look beyond the here and now, and the engines of progress. There has never been a more pressing need for honest leadership in a world that is changing quickly. Realizing greatness and leaving a lasting impression requires embracing the actual meaning of leadership, which is found outside the bounds of followership.

Thanks for reading. Please leave a comment below so we can engage in positive conversation and if you have not done so already Please Subscribe. You can also follow me on my podcast here Wise Mindset Guy Podcast