Ever felt it, that pressure to become a leader? You know, to be the type to take initiative, and to assume leadership? This pressure to lead, and to change the world? I bet you know exactly what I’m talking about. I assure you, I feel it too.
This, in essence, is a good thing. We need leadership and we need people to step forward, and change the world. But, after years pushing myself to lead, I came to a realisation;
While I was learning how to lead; I never learned how to be led.
Truth is, I am not a great follower. I wish I was, I wish I could take direction better, and accept a second level role with humility. Sometimes I do, but not always.
It’s not easy to let someone else be “the man”. I like being the captain, the quarterback. Selfish, really, maybe immature, but true nevertheless. And I’m not thrilled about this. Why do I have such a hard time being number 2?
I think great leaders are those who understand that they can’t always be the captain, the chief.
Kind of like Russell Crowe in Gladiator – you know, early on in the movie? After leading his troops to battle and glorious victory, he turns around and immediately hands the victory to Caesar with nobility and humility, totally accepting his role as a servant of the empire, of the boss. I wish I could do that; be like that.
Though I’m not certain how to go about it, I intend to develop this ability – to be better at being a soldier, and to know when I should lead, and when I need to be led. And that’s that. Any ideas?