Are You a Leader or a Follower?
Introduction
The quiz provided pointed to characteristics a leader exhibits in a management position. In the first case, the questions examined self-confidence and the ability to believe in oneself while undertaking a given task. Confidence and risk taking provides key attributes of leadership at any particular level (Contractor et al. 2015). While confidence is about self-assurance and conviction, risk-taking points to the ability to put one’s ideas, decisions, and actions on the line without fear of rejection or failure. For example, the question that tests what measures one can take while others are dancing points to the ability to stand by one’s decision and action while others have their way. The ability to follow on an improvement plan and commit to growth remains the most important attribute in leadership and for a leader.
Additionally, while everyone is signing for the school musical context, a real leader will strongly consider signing up due to the great passion and talent for singing (Llopis, 2013). He or she will not wait to see his or her friend sign up first, but will take the mantle and be the first to sign up. Such a question points to the ability to risk and go with one’s decision and not wait for others to make a decision. On the other hand, the issues examined originality in thought and action. While a leader is expected to offer prudent ideas and decisions, the ability to bring up original ideas stands out as the most important (Contractor et al. 2015).
Conclusion
Although there comes a time when a leader can exhibit characteristics of a follower, and be a faithful follower per say, Contractor et al. (2015) argue that it does not mean that, the leader in question has lost the ability to offer direction. In most cases, a leader can show signs of following when the circumstances, for example, call upon teamwork or brainstorming. The leader as a follower will listen to members of the team and go with the majority decisions or actions. In such a case, the leader becomes a follower, not because of lack of the ability to follow, but a sign of leading by example and letting others offer their position on a given issue at hand. For example, in the questions presented, one of the answers options points to leading by example. By pulling the weeds and preserving them for better use instead of throwing them away as the others make a point of leading by example (Llopis, 2013).
References
Contractor, F., Foss, N. J., Kundu, S., & Lahiri, S. (Eds.). (2015). Microfoundations of Global Strategy: Role of Leadership and Manager Characteristics. Global Strategy Journal.
Llopis, G. (2013, June 11). 5 Reasons Leaders Become Followers. Retrieved January 30, 2017, from http://www.forbes.com/sites/glennllopis/2013/06/11/5-reasons-leaders-become-followers/#591474e53501