Denying Leadership - the Perils
©2015 Scott D. Wilson
Do you want to be successful? Do you want to be a leader? If you answered ‘yes’ to the first question then you better have answered ‘yes’ to the second one as well. “But I don’t want to lead anyone!” you may protest. My response to you is “Too bad, get used to it!” I used to be exactly like you. I thought I could be successful all on my own, away from the crowds and the rest of the world. I did not want to be a leader. To be a leader means having followers and to me that seemed like an unnecessary responsibility and hassle.
However, if one is serious about success then one needs to look at what exactly it means to succeed. Put simply, success at its most basic level is merely setting a goal and through effort, measurably achieving it. For example, in weight loss, one usually gauges success by achieving a given body weight or fat percentage. Unless one is losing an insignificant amount of weight then achieving this goal will take significant determination and the effects will be noticeable. If one succeeds there will be people who have known the individual who will ask about their method and the key to their achievement. Remember, many people try unsuccessfully to lose weight. Actually losing weight would put this person in the small group of leaders that has attained the desired goal.
In most worthwhile ventures you will likely seek the help and expertise of others with experience or knowledge that will aid you in your quest. As a seeker you will understand the need for leaders to help those along the path. As you gain your own knowledge and experience in any field this will eventually make you a leader in that area. If you have received help it will be natural to want to return this help to those who seek to follow towards the same goal. This is basic leadership.
Whatever the nature of what you strive for, when you attain your goals people will in all likelihood notice. Success stands out amid the struggling crowds. Visible change is generally required to reach our various goals. Change and difference are noticeable amid this largely mundane world. Succeeding at virtually anything draws the attention of others.
If success were commonplace then there would be little need for leaders, but real achievement is sufficiently rare that it demands leadership from those who attain their goals. Even those new to success need to acknowledge their leadership. Leaders are required… even those who might be inexperienced in success and those who are still avidly learning! Perfection and mastery are not perquisites for leadership.
If you are proving yourself and making developments in some endeavour then people will start to look to you as an expert in the subject. Success and leadership go hand in hand. Denying leadership is to deny success.
This does not mean that we seek leadership to in the hopes of creating success. Being successful generates leadership but leadership does not necessarily breed success. This does however mean that we should not reject or deny leadership as we win ground in our personal efforts. We need to become comfortable with others looking up to us and seeking advice or guidance. This is a natural by-product of achievement.
Though our personal goals may pertain only to our own development and improvement we need to be aware that this can and will alter who we are and how we are perceived by others. And this is ok. Being followed is not to be dreaded. Humbly accept that your own success can fuel and inspire the dreams, hopes and efforts of others. And if by some odd chance someone uses your guidance to motivate their own success then perchance one day you might paradoxically choose to follow their leadership!
