Do Leaders Work Harder Than Their Followers?

It’s a common debate as to whether leaders work harder than their followers.

The truth is great leaders do work harder than their followers. However, even the best leaders have been and likely still are followers to their own leaders in both their personal and professional lives.

The real answer is leaders continue to work hard to inspire their followers to work hard as well. Followers who wish to be leaders will work just as hard as the leader they admire.

The Difference Between Leaders And Followers

A popular leadership poem called Leaders vs. Followers describes the difference between the two very well. It also proves why leaders have to work harder. Often times, followers are content to just get by while leaders want to do their best, not just for themselves, but for those around them. It’s up to a leader, whether they’re managing team at work or raising three kids, to inspire greatness in those who follow them.

It takes hard work to help others see the best in themselves and strive for something more. It requires setting a good example, pushing others to succeed and never settling for second best. With the right leader, followers are eager to work harder. Over time, leaders and their followers work almost equally.

Setting An Example

The main reason leaders are seen as working harder than their followers is they are trying to lead by example. They can’t expect their followers to go the extra mile if they are always leaving work early or sitting to the side while everyone else handles their responsibilities.

Great leaders often work longer hours to make sure everything is done and things are easier for their followers. They take extra time out of their busy schedule to talk to their followers and make sure their needs are met. They put in more effort on every task to ensure it’s done right so they have more time to help their followers. It’s not unusual to see the greatest leaders effectively handling their own responsibilities while volunteering at the local library or picking up the workload when one of their team members is sick.

Create Accountability

Leaders remain accountable for their actions. This means they always have to work harder to maintain a good reputation and prevent as many mistakes from happening as possible. They aren’t afraid to step up and put in a few more hours if a deadline is approaching and they forgot to handle an important detail. They don’t blame it on their followers. Instead, they take full responsibility and handle it themselves.

Great leaders have to work harder to create an accountable environment for themselves and their followers. You don’t see the best leaders always leaving work early or asking someone else to handle their responsibilities. They know leadership means spending time with their followers throughout the day. It means motivating, training, assisting and still handling your own work load. If followers see you being accountable and working even harder than them, they’ll hold themselves more accountable as well.

Leaders Work Harder To Show Respect

Every leader is a follower of someone else. They became great leaders by learning from those around them. Followers who are inspired by their leaders often harder than everyone else to show and even gain respect from their mentors. Emulating someone is one of the ultimate signs of respect. Think of many successful people. When asked why they work so hard, they say they learned the trait from their parent or parents and wanted to share that same ethic with others.

Conclusion

The answer isn’t clear. Leaders do work harder, but aspiring leaders aren’t afraid to work just as hard. The real lesson is leadership requires hard work and dedication. Neither of which a great leader hesitates to do. Hard work is as important to them as any other leadership trait such as integrity or compassion.