Leader and Follower

During a meeting last Tuesday, members casually discussed about leader and follower. Everyone acknowledged that both have important roles to play. Both need each other and compliment each other for job accomplished. Leader without follower is equivalent to having a gun without bullets. Leader will command and direct others working towards achieving his vision and mission. This definitely cannot be done if the leader has no others to turn to. Similarly, follower need guidance and facilitation for them to achieving a shared goal outlined by the leader. Hence, leader and follower have to be there under any circumstances concurrently. Anybody can be either a leader or a follower based on circumstances. For example, a doctor might be a leader at the operation theater but revert his role as follower at the kitchen helping his wife to cook.

The question raised during the meeting is when should someone becomes a leader or a follower? Problems arose simply because many people do not understand their appropriate role at the right time and right occasion. People tend to forget their role because of excitement and enthusiasm or at time, encouragement from other parties. Smart people tend to play second cadre to his/her superior at all occasions. However, others will perceive it as "botek" the bosses.

To me, leader and follower should play their role accordingly under appropriate circumstances. It is a matter of who know best and who command best. It is not solely about your social status and title. In doing so, perhaps egoism has to go. With a flatten World today, hierarchy and structure of command is no more valid, anyone can make his/her grade. This applies to the present follower and leader.

So, be prepared leader, you might one day to become follower and to the follower, you have to prepare all the time to take over the leadership in a day.