Do you follow or lead?

Question

If you do both, how do you know which to do when?

Answer 1

I do both. As far as knowing when to do one or the other, I don't think you can put together a hard, set list.

There are some things I definitely lead, some I definitely follow. Work, paying the bills, I lead.

Raising my children, sometimes I lead, sometimes I follow my wife, and sometimes we both lead. It depends on the situation. For instance, if my daughter wanted to start wearing makeup, that would be Mom's department to decide if she's old ebnough. (However, I have the power of the last veto if I think it's too much makeup)

Answer 2

Sometimes I follow and sometimes I lead.
First, I follow when another person has the authority in a situation. For instance, I am a team member in a support group, led by a facilitator. I follow the guidelines of the group, but contribute regularly, under the leadership of the facilitator.

Second, I follow when someone else has more experience or expertise in a certain area. For instance, I am not a physical therapist and have no expertise in that area. So, I seek advice from reputable sources regarding therapy and try to follow the advice given to improve my physical condition.

Third, I follow when I am uncertain of the direction in which I should travel while driving, and someone else is familiar with the territory. Otherwise, I am liable to get lost, even though I have a good sense of direction.

Now, regarding leading, I lead in those situations where I may have talent, expertise, knowledge or training that may benefit someone else who is trying to learn, find their way or accomplish a task with which I am familiar.

Answer 3

In the bigger picture, I think I'm just independent and do what I think needs to be done....and in taking any action at all, I am therefore ahead of the curve.

I tend to think I am following when I am working alone in my office, but when I go out "into the bigger world" (like a conference) I realize that I am sometimes leading in an area. I think I do both because I am between "experts" and "laypeople" and depending on the group I am in, its pretty clear if I know more/less on the topics being discussed.

Answer 4

Both but usually I lead, Im not bossy but people usually tend to follow the things I do. I follow when I want to I decide when I think it works and I lead when I choose to do what I want to do I think about the reasons and let it help me decide.

Answer 5

I follow when I am not sure of the situation and need advise. I only follow good leaders and if they are bad, I fall out and research a little. I lead most of the time but only in areas of my knowledge.

Answer 6

I normaly follow if I agree with what is being said/done, if not i do my own. A lot of time people will sometimes give me the leadership role, in which i normaly turn it down the first time, but accept it if they persist.

Example: Today in chemistry, we were doing some problems (in groups). I was mainly letting them do it (or atleast decide hot to do it). But then i kinda murmerred if one of the problems was right. Then they asked what do i mean, then i said "never mind." Then they persisted, and so i explained. And i ended up leading them with the rest of the questions.

Answer 7

I do both cuss i like to shake things up

and I know when to lead when i have the most exp. in the subject matter and I follow when i don't know what the heck i am doing

Answer 8

I follow the lead, and lead the follower.

Answer 9

I don't enjoy leading, altho, I'm very often asked to. I don't mind following if I agree with the one leading, and adding any information or help that they might want. Mainly, tho, I'm a loner by nature, so I prefer working by myself, for myself. I try to help when it comes to the issues that are important to me, like Care 2 petitions, sending a little money toward a good cause when I can, etc.

There is that saying don't walk ahead of me. Don't walk behind me. Walk beside me and be my equal. Goes something like that.

Answer 10

i guess both.

i just do whats natural and then take into considoration how i feel about something. if i dont like being led in a certain situation i weigh things out and if its worth throwing a fit then i do. also, when i lead it seems that that kind of works out by people choosing to follow me, not me declaring that i am the leader.

if you know more about something or have more experience you are a good candidate to be a leader.