Ducks in a Row: Are You a Follower?
by Miki Saxon
Have you ever heard anyone talk about what a great follower they are? Or that they bought a book/took a class/signed up for a seminar on how to follow?
People often talk about ‘supporting’ someone’s agenda, ‘aligning’ themselves with another’s views or that they are ‘in the same camp’, but not that they follow.
Subtly or not, intentionally or not, ‘follower’ indicates a role of lesser value and few people see themselves as of lesser value.
That leaves us with everyone studying/aspiring/jockeying to be a leader. This can actually be amusing as they often accomplish it by using leadership terminology to describe everything they do.
Those who don’t aspire frequently play Monday morning quarterback on leadership roles about which they have no clue and will never fill—not that that stops them. This is especially true regarding roles such as President, whether of a country or a company.
There is no easier way to lead than through 20/20 hindsight and no safer way than critiquing others from the depths of one’s own ignorance.
To make matters worse, these quarterbacks are known to relentlessly argue their contrary point of view and defend it at all costs.
A defense based not on cognitive bias, but as carefully thought out idiocy drawn from the depths of their inexperience.
Think about it and in the future don’t hesitate to follow, just choose whom you follow with care, knowing that who you follow reflects who you are.
Image credit: Svadilfari on flickr
April 13th, 2010 at 8:07 am
Great post!
We all need to be great followers. It’s much cooler to say “I’m really good at executing!” Well it’s more politically acceptable than being a follower in any case.
April 13th, 2010 at 8:38 am
Hi Sean, Thanks for the kind words.
Sadly you are correct regarding it being cooler. Ask anyone in high school (or on Wall Street) and they’ll tell you that being cool is the most important thing.
Be sure to come back Monday; I’m sure you’ll enjoy the guest post! lol