A leader or a follower?

Signs you were born to be a leader - not a follower

Leadership is not about bossing people around; it’s about inspiring them to follow your lead.

There’s a huge difference between being a leader and being a follower, and it all comes down to your inherent traits. In fact, psychology suggests that some people are just wired to take charge instead of falling in line.

If you’re one of those natural-born leaders, there are some unmistakable signs that you were born to lead rather than follow.

Let’s dive in.

1) You’re naturally empathetic

It might not be the first trait that comes to mind when you think of leadership, but empathy is incredibly important.

Leadership isn’t just about giving orders and expecting them to be followed. It’s about understanding the people you’re leading, their needs, their goals, and their challenges. Only then can you truly inspire them to follow you. As a leader, you need to be ‘at home’ in your team’s world, understanding their perspectives and guiding them accordingly.

This ability to truly understand and connect with others is a clear sign that you were born to lead. But remember, empathy is about genuine understanding and connection, not manipulation.

2) You’re not afraid of taking risks

Great leaders are often associated with a daring spirit, the ability to take risks when necessary.

In any given moment we have two options: to step forward into growth or to step back into safety. Stepping forward into growth, despite the risks involved, is a key indicator that you are naturally inclined towards leadership.

3) You own your mistakes

No one is perfect, and leaders are no exception. If you were born to lead, you understand that making mistakes is part of the journey. From dropping the ball on major projects to misjudging team dynamics, a leader must have made a fair share of blunders. But every time you stumble, you take ownership of mistakes, learn from them, and strive to do better.

“The most terrifying thing is to accept oneself completely.” - Carl Jung. Owning up to your mistakes and learning from them is a part of accepting yourself completely – faults and all. It’s also a sign that you’re a true leader, one who values growth and learning over ego and image.

4) You’re a good listener

It’s often said that we were given two ears and one mouth for a reason – to listen more than we speak. Leaders understand this principle well.

Listening deeply to others, acknowledging their perspectives and ideas is a powerful way to recognize their existence and rights.

If you find yourself naturally inclined to listen more than you speak, that’s not just a sign of good manners – it’s a sign you were born to lead.

5) You’re comfortable with being uncomfortable

This may sound counterintuitive, but being a leader often means stepping out of your comfort zone and embracing the unfamiliar, the uncertain, and the uncomfortable.

The truth is that our finest moments are most likely to occur when we are feeling deeply uncomfortable…For it is only in such moments…that we are likely to step out of our ruts and start searching for different ways or truer answers.

If you find yourself constantly pushing your own boundaries and embracing discomfort for growth’s sake, congratulations! You’re exhibiting a key quality of natural-born leaders.

6) You inspire others

Perhaps the most significant sign that you were born to be a leader is your ability to inspire others. Not by dictating what they should do, but by setting an example and encouraging them to be the best versions of themselves.

Great leaders don’t just tell people what to do; they inspire a love for achievement, growth, and learning.

If people around you often feel encouraged and motivated by your words and actions, it’s a strong indication that you were born with the qualities of a true leader.

7) You’re dedicated to self-improvement

A true leader never stops learning and growing. They understand that to lead others effectively, they must first lead themselves.

What is necessary to change a person is to change his awareness of himself.

This drive to continually improve and evolve is a clear sign of a born leader. It shows that you’re not just interested in leading others, but also in leading yourself towards becoming the best you can be.

8) You value collaboration over competition

As a leader, you understand that success is a team effort, not a solo endeavor. It’s not about outshining everyone else; it’s about bringing everyone together to achieve a common goal.

Alfred Adler - "The only normal people are the ones you don’t know very well.” Everyone has unique strengths and insights to contribute.

9) You’re okay with not always being right

This may seem counterintuitive, but true leaders are not afraid to be wrong. They know that they don’t have all the answers and are always open to learning from others.

Psychologist Carol Dweck, known for her work on “growth mindset”, said, “Becoming is better than being”.

This means that the journey of learning and growth is more important than always being correct.

If you’re someone who values growth over always being right, you’re showing a key characteristic of effective leadership. It’s a clear sign that you were born to lead, not follow.

10) You lead with integrity

Integrity is the cornerstone of effective leadership. It’s about being honest, transparent, and ethical in all your actions. People will trust and respect you more when you lead with integrity. It’s not always the easiest path, but it’s the one that earns you lasting respect and loyalty.

When you lead with integrity, you’re true to yourself and your values. And that’s a clear sign that you were born to lead.

Finally we possess what we confess. In the real world just remain teachable and learn a new lesson each new day.