Leader or Follower? Finding Your Power in Both Roles

Hello, readers!

If someone were to ask you if you’re a leader or a follower, how would you answer? Think about it—if you consider yourself a leader, what defines that leadership? Is it your skills, your expertise? Maybe it’s because people regularly seek your advice or rely on your guidance to move forward? These are all great qualities of leadership, but here’s the kicker—at the most basic level, a leader has followers. So, who’s following you?

And perhaps even more importantly—why are they following you?

Being a leader is more than just taking charge or knowing the most. True leadership isn’t about creating copies of yourself, but rather fostering an environment where those around you become better versions of themselves. Are people more confident, creative, or inspired when they’re around you? Or do they feel boxed in? The best leaders don’t just lead from the front; some of the greatest lead from the middle, influencing, motivating, and elevating those in their orbit.

What Makes a Great Leader?

Here’s the thing: leadership is not reserved for those with a fancy title or a corner office. Some of the most impactful leaders are the ones who guide quietly, lead with empathy, and make those around them feel seen and supported. A great leader exhibits several key characteristics, such as:

• Empathy: Understanding your team’s feelings, needs, and challenges.
• Communication: Clear, honest, and open dialogue is the lifeblood of           leadership.
• Integrity: Doing what’s right, even when no one is watching. Consistency matters.
• Humility: Admitting you don’t know it all and being willing to learn from others.
• Vision: Having a clear direction, but staying flexible enough to adjust as you go.

Developing Your Leadership Skills

So, how can you sharpen these skills if you're striving to be a better leader? First off, self-awareness is your best friend. Know your strengths, but more importantly, understand your weaknesses. Practice active listening—leaders who listen before they speak build trust and stronger relationships. Cultivate resilience because, let’s be real, leadership comes with its share of challenges, and bouncing back from setbacks is crucial. Finally, be adaptable. The best leaders evolve; they don’t cling to outdated methods, especially in a world that’s constantly changing.

Followers Deserve Love Too

Let’s be honest—not everyone wants to be a leader, and that’s totally cool. In fact, in 2024, I think we should start normalizing the fact that some folks are perfectly happy reserving their energy for themselves and a select few people in their orbit. And you know what? We need that balance! Leaders are great, but so are the people who support them. Both roles are not only valuable but necessary.

Everyone should aim to operate with integrity, respect, kindness, and empathy—those qualities aren’t just for leaders. And the followers who embrace these traits? They’re creating their own lane, making moves in ways that don’t necessarily involve taking the reins.

Why Following Can Be a Power Move

Being a follower doesn’t mean being passive or directionless. When you follow great leaders, you learn, you grow, and you get a front-row seat to see what works—and what doesn’t. Some benefits of following a great leader include:

Learning from their experiences: You get to skip some of the mistakes they made and absorb the lessons they’ve already learned.
Building confidence: Watching someone else lead can inspire you to take on new challenges, whether in leadership or in other areas of life.
Shaping your own path: Following doesn’t mean imitating; it’s about taking the best traits and techniques and applying them in ways that make sense for you.
Creating strong networks: Great leaders tend to attract other great leaders, so following the right person can connect you to valuable people and opportunities.

The Bottom Line

Every great leader started as a follower first, and no leader can lead without followers. It’s a cycle of learning, growing, and ultimately stepping into roles that fit you, whether that’s as the head honcho or the supportive powerhouse who keeps things running smoothly. There’s no one-size-fits-all when it comes to leadership—or following, for that matter.

So, what about you? Are you a leader or a follower—or maybe a bit of both? Either way, you’re exactly where you need to be, learning, growing, and thriving in your own right.

Cheers to that!