Don't Lead! Be a Follower - What!? Outrageous!

I know, I know, I know! Am I insane for posting this? Maybe...

Listen up, folks. I'm gonna say something that a lot of successful people already know, but most of them won't say it out loud because they don't want to come across as jerks. But, I'm not here to sugarcoat the truth. Here's the deal: I've been noticing more and more people not asking for help when they should, or being too scared to ask for help, or constantly complaining that they're not where they want to be in their careers because they're not holding a management or leadership position. And, in their minds, they think they should be.

Let me be real blunt with you: most people aren't ready to be leaders or managers. It's not something you can just jump into and suddenly become the best new manager on the block. The reason why so many people feel that they should be managers as quickly as possible is because the world keeps glorifying being a leader, and not enough about the importance of being a great follower. Just like in movies, where you see incredible superheroes, but you rarely ever see the path they took to become that hero. The world is trying to brainwash as many people as possible to think that they don't have any true value until they are a leader.

But the truth is, being a great follower is just as important as being a leader, and actually, NEWS ALERT, it's a prerequisite. Until you learn how to follow well, you're not ready to lead. So, before you start complaining about not being where you want to be in your career, take a step back and ask yourself: are you the best follower you can be? That's the real key to successfully becoming a leader.

Apprentice / Follower

Being a great follower before becoming a leader is similar to the apprenticeship model, where an individual follows and learns from a mentor in order to gain the necessary skills, knowledge, and experience to excel in a particular field.

In the same way an apprentice follows and learns from a skilled tradesperson or professional, a great follower in the workplace or any other field, learns from experienced and successful leaders. They observe their actions, listen to their advice, and learn from their mistakes. By doing so, they gain a deeper understanding of the industry and the skills required to excel in it.

Furthermore, apprenticeship and being a great follower share the same important aspect, which is humility and empathy. Just as an apprentice is humble, open to learn and willing to work under the guidance and supervision of a mentor, a great follower also possess these qualities. They are humble and willing to learn from others, and have empathy for the people they work with, which are essential for effective leadership.

When the time comes for an apprentice to become a master or for a follower to become a leader, they will have the knowledge and skills acquired from their mentor or from those they followed, to lead effectively, make informed decisions and take calculated risks. They will have learned the importance of teamwork and collaboration, which are key in leading a team to success.

In conclusion, being a great follower before becoming a leader is similar to the apprenticeship model, as it allows individuals to gain the knowledge, skills and experience necessary to excel in their field, and become effective leaders in the future.

HERE'S THE TRUTH:

The world is obsessed with pushing people to become leaders before they are ready. We are constantly told that leadership is the key to success, and that we should all strive to be leaders in our respective fields. However, what's not typically mentioned is the value in being an excellent follower before thinking of becoming a leader.

Being a follower allows us to learn from those who have already achieved success in our chosen field. We can observe their actions, listen to their advice, and learn from their mistakes. By doing so, we can gain a deeper understanding of the industry and what skills are required to excel in it. Furthermore, being a follower allows us to develop a strong sense of humility and empathy, which are essential qualities for effective leadership.

When we are ready to become leaders, the knowledge and skills we have acquired through following others will be invaluable. We will have a better understanding of the industry, the people within it, and the challenges we may face. This knowledge will give us the confidence to make informed decisions and take calculated risks. By following the lead of others, we can learn how to lead others effectively and create a positive impact.

Being a follower also allows us to understand the importance of teamwork and collaboration. As a follower, we learn to work within a team and contribute to its success. We learn how to communicate effectively and how to build strong relationships with our colleagues. When we become leaders, we will be able to apply this knowledge and lead our team to success.

Moreover, being a follower before becoming a leader is important because it allows us to develop a sense of perspective. As a follower, we have the opportunity to observe the big picture and understand how our actions fit into it.

SOLUTION: Here's the steps to become a great follower, to then, become a great leader:

1. Learn from experienced leaders: Observe and learn from experienced leaders in your field, take note of their actions, and learn from their mistakes.
2. Develop your skills: Continuously work on developing your skills and knowledge in your field, this will help you understand your industry better and give you the confidence to make informed decisions.
3. Build a strong network: Build a network of contacts and colleagues, this will help you stay informed about industry trends, and give you the opportunity to collaborate and learn from others.
4. Practice effective communication: Develop your communication skills, learn how to express yourself clearly and effectively, this will help you lead and influence others.
5. Be humble and empathetic: Be humble, open to learning, and willing to work with others. Empathy will help you understand the perspectives of others, which is crucial for effective leadership.
6. Take on leadership roles: Seek out opportunities to take on leadership roles, whether it be in your current job or in volunteer roles, this will help you gain experience and confidence.
7. Learn from failure: Failure is a part of life, accept it and learn from it, this will help you become more resilient and better equipped to handle challenges as a leader.
8. Embrace change: Be open to change and be adaptable, as a great leader should be able to navigate and lead through change.
9. Lead by example: Lead by example, this will help you gain the respect and trust of your team, and set the standard for how you expect others to behave.
10. Self-reflection: take time to reflect on your own behavior, thoughts, and emotions to understand your own strengths and weaknesses and work on improving them.

Following these steps will help you prepare to become a great leader. Remember that becoming a leader takes time, and the journey of becoming a leader is ongoing. Continuously strive to improve and develop yourself, and the rest will fall into place.

#leadership #managers #management #forbes #success #employee #jobhunting #truth #tureau #jonathancash

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