I’m sure you’ve played Follow the Leader at some point in your life. Probably when you were very young. The game “rules” are that everyone follows by going where the leader goes and doing what the leader does (skipping, hopping, jumping, etc.).
It’s a fun children’s game that can help develop motor skills and teach kids to take turns as they trade off being the leader.
But is leadership the same as Follow the Leader now that we’re adults? Should it be? Even if we don’t necessarily see ourselves as “leaders,” I think we all have various leadership roles that we fill. For example, we are leaders in our communities, in our businesses, in our families, and even to ourselves.
Some leadership roles come with titles and accolades. Others don’t. Regardless, isn’t being a leader really about serving others by influencing them along the path to success (whatever “success” means in different contexts)?
Leaders may coach, guide, motivate, inspire, coordinate, rally, mobilize, activate, etc. others. But it all comes down to being of service to others … helping them do, achieve, or be something that they value. And, yes, I do think we lead ourselves as well as others.
The best leaders are those who people follow because they want to, not because they are told that they have to. Because in real life, we’re not kids playing Follow the Leader. So, I encourage you to be a leader worth following. Rather than commanding and demanding, motivate and inspire … others as well as yourself.
SUCCESS TIP OF THE MONTH
When it comes to leadership, tenacity is an essential trait. Having the determination to push forward in the face of any challenge, regardless of feelings of frustration or disappointment, is key to success. But tenacity isn’t easy – it takes strength and courage.
“The most successful people in the world do the things they know they need to be doing even when they don’t feel like doing them.” – Carey D. Lohrenz
By embracing tenacity, leaders can stay on course and lead by example, ultimately
driving themselves and their team towards greatness. Tenacity allows leaders to remain driven and proactive, even if they don’t always get the results they want right away. How do you respond to the unexpected?
Leaders must also remember that while tenacity is important, they should maintain humility as they pursue their goals or visions. It is important to be open to feedback and take on board perspectives from those around them. How do you respond to feedback?
Tenacity is a choice, one that takes strength and perseverance. It means facing challenges with optimism and resilience, and not letting anything stand in the way of progress. When leaders take this stance, they empower their teams to do the same, and together they can create positive change with lasting impact.
At its core, tenacity is about staying true to one’s values despite setbacks along the way. It’s about having the courage to own failure, the faith to keep going, and the strength to persevere when nothing else seems possible.
