It’s Okay NOT To Be A Leader
Posted by Mitch Mitchell on May 25, 2012
I talk about leadership often here because I truly believe that many people in leadership positions aren't acting like leaders. I believe this because of my own experiences and from what I hear from people everyday that still deal with this type of relationship with the people they report to.
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I was asked this recently: "What if I don't want to become a leader?" It's an interesting question because it presupposes that everyone needs to lead, which of course isn't true. It also presupposes that when I talk about leadership that it automatically means "management", which also isn't true.
First, the world isn't only made up of managers. It's made up mainly of people who go to work, do their jobs, then go home. We're thankful for that because without workers, nothing gets done.
Second, just because someone is a worker doesn't mean they're not leaders, or aren't considered as leaders. I've been to many places where you learn quickly who the person is that everyone goes to for answers, and often it's not the supervisor or person in charge. Some people take to their work easily and are willing to help others out. They exude a certain confidence that's felt by everyone else. Just because they don't have a title doesn't mean they're not leaders in their own right.
Third, If you're not one of those people, so what? Sure, I'd love it if every person in the world decided to strive for something better in their lives, more money, freedom from bills, leading the way for others to follow by example, etc. But that's not for everyone. Many people want to work, go home, and be left alone, or do whatever it is they want to do in their own areas. That's fine; no one, certainly not me, is going to castigate you or try to push you into something you don't want to do (well, your mother might, but that's what mothers are for lol).
However, you have to know this. If you're willing to be a follower for your entire life, at least know how to evaluate the right person to follow when you have a choice. Don't follow someone just for the sake of following. Sometimes followers get themselves in trouble for doing just that type of thing; the law doesn't care whether you were told to do something in many industries when you should have known it wasn't legal. There's a lot of that type of thing in health care.
As we head into this Memorial Day weekend I ask you to have fun, relax, and remember those men and women who gave their lives so that you have this choice as to whether you wish to be a leader or not.
Recently, I conducted a Leadership Challenge Workshop and someone asked this very question. “I don’t want to be a leader. Where do I go to find out how to be a better follower?”
I pointed out the five practices of exemplary leadership, based on the book Leadership Challenge, aren’t just for those leading but for those following as well.
For example, Model the Way is the first practice. Partially MTW is setting an example of what’s expected. Granted, you only want to be one of the players and not the head honcho. So, how can you Model the Way to show others you’re a great follower?
Thanks for writing this Mitch.
Thanks for your comment Steve, and it’s good to have confirmation that some people really don’t want to lead, but still want to learn about good leadership in some fashion. Sounds like a fascinating thing you did.
Many good points, Mitch. I also believe that world need workers as the major part of the population can not be leaders, managers and bosses. Honestly, I have hear few times on interviews, you are too high qualified for this job, so from this point I usually write short resume with less than 30% of whole story. I can’t say that I am aiming for leadership now, as I am working from home, but more likely I am trying to fix the balance between work and personal life.
Carl, I used to hear the over qualified thing myself years ago. I actually had that same mindset when I used to hire people. But sometimes folks don’t want to keep being a leader, opting instead for something a little less intense. Nothing wrong with that.
Everytime, I have been a manager, I have never really looked about education, but previous experience or way to prove knowledge, that’s why I have always interviewed applicants myself as I don’t really think that a recruitment company can suggest “the perfect” candidate for expert position, often I have seen people with few diplomas that are not capable to do the job and I don’t look for capable people, I look for good one. For sure there are many people that don’t want to be leaders and prefer the golden middle and others surrender pretty quickly when they face a challenge.
i think, the questeion from steve
““I don’t want to be a leader. Where do I go to find out how to be a better follower?â€
is really important for the people. no one would be an looser. and when you not go in front…. many people fail in live.
mitch, i thank you so much for really intersting article.
thanks a lot for sharing your thoughts with us.
greetings from Köln
Henry
Thanks Henry. One hopes that everyone is ready to be a leader if it’s thrust upon them, even if they don’t wish to be.
If we all be leaders, there’ll be no balance and dynamics in this world.
Interesting way to state it Mike, but I can’t disagree with it.
Hi Mitch,
You’ve really hit the nail on the head here! Not everyone is cut out to be a leader simply because they don’t want to take on the extra responsibility. That’s ok, though. The world needs those who are willing to be worker bees and follow the appropriate leaders.
I also agree that those who choose to follow must make those choices wisely as so much can ride on that choice.
Of course, a good leader also knows when to become a follower themselves, and all good leaders do at some point. They all come to a point where they realize they don’t have enough functional knowledge in a certain area, so they seek out somebody who does and they follow them.
Your article discusses a truly interesting dynamic. Thanks for the great information!
Talk to you again soon.
~Barry
Thanks Barry. I learned a long time ago that once I stopped doing the daily work that some people were going to surpass me on a lot of things, and I had no problem with that. At some point leaders start dealing with theories and processes and out of the box thinking, sort of, while the workers in many industries deal with the physical changes and nuances. I got used to passing information along that I knew the people working for me would understand at least parts of it better than myself because they did the work every day.
That’s when I became a follower to an extent, asking questions so I could help make them better. What a great sharing of minds that used to be. Great stuff from you; thanks again!
perhaps leadership is the wrong term. what we need is inspired people to do the right thing. many used to say – too many chiefs and not enough indians – these never understood that it was the chief who did all the work. right now – the chiefs are tired. they are looking for the indians to help them. perhaps this will inspire you to find out more: sign this and forward it to some who need to be inspired.
http://www​​.change.o​r​g/petiti​on​s/iso-2​600​0
important real world activity
I think you’re right Mitch. Calling it leadership might not quite be proper, and since good leaders hopefully help to inspire others maybe self inspiration takes the place for someone who doesn’t want to be in a leadership position yet still wants to contribute in the best way possible for the good of… whomever. Nice way to look at it; thanks.
Thanks for a thought provoking post Mitch but I have to disagree. I don’t see how anyone can be effective in this century without being a leader. It is NOT okay not to be a leader, unless you’ve given up, had enough and can somehow afford to take that stance.
I think we are confusing what leadership truly means here. You don’t have to be Patton and you don’t have to be a powerful CEO, you just have to CARE and take responsibility for making a difference. You have to “give a damn”. That’s it. You don’t need to be heroic, you don’t need to sacrifice yourself, you don’t have to put yourself at risk…you have to care, deeply, about yourself, your people and your organization.
Kouzes and Posner tell us that ANYONE can be a leader and I believe that.
Two more things.
In my life I have cleaned bathrooms, manned the cash register and held management jobs, and now I am the president of an organization. In all those roles, I was a leader. Leaders don’t need a title, or a role or a specific set of circumstances. They just make a choice to care or not to care.
Now, I too have come across people who have said to me, I don’t want to be a leader. But that’s BS, those same people were leaders in other spheres, and great ones at that, they were just not engaged with their present organizations.
There was anger and resentment, It seemed to me that they didnt feel they had a say or a stake one way or the other in their organization. So they neither lead nor followed.
Leading is about caring, doing the right thing, sharing your opinion, growing and learning, pushing yourself to do better and genuinely acknowledging and caring about those around us.
We need that from the C-Suite and we need that front-level associates. Now more than ever. No one is coming down to save us, we need to take FULL responsibility over saving ourselves. The challenges are too daunting, the uncertainty too great, the opportunities too promising for anyone to think they have the luxury of passing the buck.
We all need to lead and we all need to follow in order to make it together.
Thanks again Mitch.
Thanks for your point of view Danilo. Very well stated; of course I have to disagree with you, but for only this reason.
You’re right, anyone CAN be a leader, but everyone does NOT have to be a leader. As a matter of fact, history pretty much proves that one. An overwhelming number of people have never led anything, and haven’t wanted to. They weren’t parents, weren’t responsible for their families, weren’t responsible for anything else. And they like it.
See, overall it has to be all about what people feel they want to do. In this country, if someone sees a crime committed, they’re under no obligation to help for the most part. If someone was laying dying they’re under no obligation to help. Should they? Absolutely. But if they don’t nothing happens to them, other than being ridiculed if it gets into the news.
So, I’d say that it would be great if more people were ready to step into a leadership role when called upon, no matter what it is, but in reality it’s not going to happen, and it doesn’t have to happen. Some people just want to be left alone.