The Duck Pond Splash Down

Navigating the Dance of Leadership and Followership

Are you a leader or a follower? If you’re expecting a straightforward answer, brace yourself, because I’m about to twist that dichotomy into a pretzel.

Imagine life as a grand ballroom dance. Sometimes you lead, gracefully guiding your partner through a samba spin, other times you follow, allowing them to take the spotlight. I find myself in the hybrid shoes of both a leader and a follower, switching roles as the music of life changes its tempo.

Why I Lead:

I step into the role of a leader when the situation demands vision, direction, and initiative. This isn’t about hogging the limelight; it’s about seeing a gap and stepping forward to fill it. Whether it’s rallying my team to meet a tight deadline or pioneering an innovative project, I lead to forge paths and inspire action.

Leadership isn’t for the faint-hearted. It’s about making decisions with conviction, shouldering responsibilities, and sometimes standing solitary in the face of adversity. But here’s the kicker: great leaders aren’t born; they’re made from experiences, mistakes, and a whole lot of courage cocktails.

When I Follow:

Now, don’t get it twisted—I am just as happy to hand over the reins to someone else when they possess the expertise or perspective that I lack. Following isn’t about submission; it’s about recognition and respect for another’s leadership.

There’s an art to being a good follower, too. It involves active listening, constructive feedback, and a readiness to act. Following the right kind of leader can be enlightening, empowering, and nothing short of exhilarating. It’s about trusting their vision while adding your unique value to the journey.

The Dual Dance:

Here lies the beauty of being both. By understanding when to lead and when to follow, I navigate through challenges more fluidly. This flexibility is crucial in a world that’s as unpredictable as a game of musical chairs.

Embracing both roles has its perks. It builds empathy, sharpens insight, and fosters a collaborative spirit. It teaches me humility in leadership and courage in followership. Most importantly, it makes me a better teammate, a better manager, and frankly, a better dancer at the ball of life.

So, am I a leader or a follower? I am unapologetically both, adapting to the rhythm of the moment. Whether I’m taking the lead or stepping back, I’m always dancing.