Follow the Leader

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Recommended: Personal leadership and leadership styles

Follow the Leader

Leadership is a term that cannot easily be defined. According to Ben Silverstein, author of “Managing People: Secrets to Leading for New Managers” being a leader is not a right, it is a privilege, bestowed by those you lead. (Silverstein 2009, pg. 115) In order to lead there must be people willing to follow. The privilege of being a leader is earned based upon choices and actions. Leadership truly is a way of life for the leader and to those that choose to follow.

There are many opportunities for a person to follow a leader. They are found at home, at school, in churches, in education, in businesses, in communities and in the government. There are good leaders and bad leaders. Samuel C. Certo, author of Supervision: Concepts and Skill-Building defines leading as “influencing people to act or not act in a certain way.” (Certo 2007, pg. 199) A person can adopt various styles of leadership such as authoritarian, laissez-faire, or democratic. For example, Adolph Hitler demonstrated an authoritarian style of leadership. This is a style in which the leader retains a great deal of authority. Our government demonstrates a democratic style of leadership which allows us, as citizens, to participate in decision making and problem solving through voting. A laissez-faire style of leadership is where the leader is uninvolved and allows subordinates to direct themselves.

Buchanan 2

At school there are leaders as students and teachers. Peer pressure is an ongoing issue among students. Those who demonstrate leadership qualities are able to stick with their own values and walk away from instances of peer pressure. Sometimes students have to make tough choices regarding peer pressure, but as long as they stick to their values t...

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...g a bad day. (Galindo 2009, pg. 109-110)

Concluding thoughts:

It is obvious to me that effective leadership is bred within oneself. It is based on personal experiences and continuous growth. Effective leadership is a lifelong commitment and journey based on personal responsibility and accountability. In order to be an effective leader, there must be people who are willing to follow. One thing is constant: change. The ability to perceive and adapt to changes in our lives defines who we are on a daily basis. Every minute of every day we are presented with many choices. Our ability to make choices and take ownership of the consequences of our choices demonstrates our ability to become effective leaders. Not all leaders are effective leaders, but with training and experience I believe that the possibilities are endless. Everyone has a chance; they just need to take it.

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