Follow the Leader

written on August 04, 2010 by Tameka Taylor

Rate this Article

  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5

Related Items

Using the Penn State Scandal to Begin to Examine Some of the Ethics of Leadership
written on December 01, 2011 by Tameka Taylor
Leadership Improvement by Giving Opportunities
written on June 28, 2010 by Dennis Sommer
Leadership Improvement by Empowering Staff
written on June 25, 2010 by Dennis Sommer
Leadership Improvement by Creating Enjoyment
written on June 17, 2010 by Dennis Sommer
Leadership Improvement by Leading with Optimism
written on June 14, 2010 by Dennis Sommer
Leadership Improvement by Sharing Your Vision
written on June 11, 2010 by Dennis Sommer
Leadership Improvement by Showing Trust
written on June 09, 2010 by Dennis Sommer
Leadership Improvement Dealing with Staff Burnout
written on June 03, 2010 by Dennis Sommer
Leadership 5 Problem Solving Suggestions
written on October 05, 2009 by Steve Krisfalusy
Reaching Out CorporateCommunity Partnerships as Organizational Learning Opportunities
written on August 20, 2009 by Miriam Ricketts
Best Small and Medium Companies to Work for in America
written on August 03, 2009 by Michele Ridella
Leadership Knowing When to Raise Your Hand
written on July 07, 2009 by Steve Krisfalusy
Dont Neglect the People that Support You Part 1
written on February 27, 2009 by Michele Ridella
15 Critical Leadership Traits Needed Today
written on February 16, 2009 by Dennis Sommer
Four Words to Boost Employee Engagement
written on February 03, 2009 by Ginni Garner
Ringing In the New Year
written on December 31, 2008 by Michele Ridella
Keeping Your People Motivated During Times of Economic Uncertainty
written on November 11, 2008 by Michele Ridella
Strengthening the Decision Making Process With Your Leaders
written on September 23, 2008 by Michele Ridella
Establishing Trust With Your Employees Works Both Ways
written on August 07, 2008 by Michele Ridella
Building Strong Leadership for the Future
written on July 29, 2008 by Michele Ridella

View All

More By This Expert

Lets See People for Their Ability not Their Disability
written on April 17, 2012 by Tameka Taylor
Women's History Month and Small Business Owners
written on March 09, 2012 by Tameka Taylor
Martin Luther King, Jr. Business Owners Still Fulfilling the Dream
written on January 20, 2012 by Tameka Taylor
Using the Penn State Scandal to Begin to Examine Some of the Ethics of Leadership
written on December 01, 2011 by Tameka Taylor
This Halloween Season is about More than Tricks and Treats for Some ...but about Diversity
written on November 03, 2011 by Tameka Taylor
Yom Kippur: One of the Jewish High Holy Days
written on October 14, 2011 by Tameka Taylor
Rosh Hashanah: The Jewish New Year
written on October 14, 2011 by Tameka Taylor
Language Barriers in the Workplace
written on September 12, 2011 by Tameka Taylor
Are you the housekeepers | Diversity Awareness| Human Resources
written on September 08, 2011 by Tameka Taylor
The Impact of Stereotypes on Business Owners | Diversity & Awareness | Human Resources
written on September 07, 2011 by Tameka Taylor
Size Discrimination in the Workplace | Diversity and Inclusion | Human Resources
written on August 29, 2011 by Tameka Taylor
Immigration and its Impact on Diversity (Part 3)
written on June 13, 2011 by Tameka Taylor
Immigration and its Impact on Diversity (Part 2)
written on May 31, 2011 by Tameka Taylor
Immigration and its Impact on Diversity - Part 1
written on April 28, 2011 by Tameka Taylor
Happy Chinese New Year
written on February 22, 2011 by Tameka Taylor
Sexual Orientation- No Gender Expression Explored in Book- My Princess Boy- Part II
written on February 01, 2011 by Tameka Taylor
Sexual Orientation Explored in Book, My Princess Boy
written on January 20, 2011 by Tameka Taylor
It Is the Most Wonderful Time of the Year
written on December 13, 2010 by Tameka Taylor
RESPECT Tell Me What it Means to You
written on September 24, 2010 by Tameka Taylor
Let Disability be About Ability
written on September 09, 2010 by Tameka Taylor
Socioeconomics is More than Dollars and Cents
written on August 09, 2010 by Tameka Taylor
Building Relationships Helps to Bridge Gaps
written on November 16, 2009 by Tameka Taylor
The Golden vs. The Platinum Rule
written on October 07, 2009 by Tameka Taylor
From Tolerance to Inclusion (Part 2)
written on August 31, 2009 by Tameka Taylor
From Tolerance to Inclusion (Part 1)
written on June 29, 2009 by Tameka Taylor
Is It Racist? (Continued; part 2)
written on May 18, 2009 by Tameka Taylor
The Race Card
written on April 22, 2009 by Tameka Taylor
Diversity and Inclusion...More than Race
written on April 03, 2009 by Tameka Taylor

View All

As children, many of us played a game called Follow the Leader and most of us wanted to the Leader.  As adults, life requires us at different times to be a follower even when we are leaders.  As leaders, we sometimes struggle with the concept of following others.  Does it make you less of a leader when you are not in the driver’s seat but a passenger?  No, following others is a part of leadership.

As a leader, surrounded by many other leaders, there are times you have to follow.  As a leader, you have to know when it is time for you to lead and when it is time for you to follow.  My business partner, Ruth Ramos, often says, “As leaders, it is important for you to know your role!”  Part of knowing your role is knowing when to step back and let others be in charge and you assist.  If there are too many people leading and no one is following, it gets real chaotic and often very little gets done.  It impacts the effectiveness and efficiency of a project, committee or organization.

If you are someone who has a hard time following others, you need to explore why that seems to be the case.  Is it because you have control issues?  Is it because trust is missing from that relationship?  Is it because there is a lack of relationship between you and the other individuals involved?  Is it because you think you are the only person who can do it right?  There are several other reasons that it could be, but whatever the reason it is important for you to know what it is.  This will allow you to address that reason.

As leaders, it is imperative for us to share leadership roles and responsibilities with others.  If we are in charge of everything, we will be spreading ourselves too thin.  When we are spread too thin, we can’t do everything with excellence, often it means we do nothing with excellence.  Also it opens up the great potential to burn out.  Additionally, others might have the expertise in this area which will serve the organization better overall.  As leaders, we must remember that it is not always about us but about what’s best for the organization that we are serving.  This also provides us with the opportunity to train, mentor, and coach future leaders.  So make sure you are willing to follow the leader.

 

Tameka Taylor, PhD, Compass Consulting Services, LLC