Lead, Follow, Or Get The Heck Out Of The Way
In my early twenties, I can remember a mentor of mine telling me, “John people need to lead, follow, or get the heck out of the way.”
I didn’t really understand the full ramification of that statement at the time, but I have come to realize the truth packed in it. I think this is some of the best advice one could give another when it comes to progress. Too many times we aren’t helping the situation in our organization, or our own lives at the time, because we are not leading or following, we’re just causing frustrations.
Here are some thoughts on leading, following, or getting out of the way.
Lead
If you’re not happy with something in your organization do something about it. Or at least do as much as you can about it. Stop complaining and start becoming an agent of change. Don’t be a thermometer that just reads the temperature. Be like a thermostat that has the power to change the environment. Stating a problem without a solution is just a complaint in camouflage. Real leaders step up and offer solutions and strategies to fix a problem. If you want to gain massive influence, lead. It’s those who can lead to the future that create opportunity for themselves and everyone around them. If you are going to step up then do it with all you’ve got and be committed to the outcome. Don’t expect someone else to do something about “it” if you are unwilling to do something about “it.”
Follow
You can’t be a great leader without being a great follower. Too many people complain about every decision, every issue, and everything not going right rather than being supportive. If you aren’t going to take the lead and champion change then be a great team player. Get behind your leaders, even if you don’t agree with everything. Since when did being helpful require full agreement anyway? Rarely will you agree with everything your organization is doing, but that doesn’t give you the right to not help. If you’re waiting for the perfect organization that agrees with all your opinions you’ll be searching for a lifetime. There is a time you have to just follow and serve the vision the very best you can. It’s those that add value everywhere they go that become invaluable to the organization and everyone around them.
Get The Heck Out Of The Way
If you aren’t going to step up and lead change, and you aren’t going to support the decisions and direction of your leaders then get out! Stop causing dysfunction and dissension. Either decline the opportunity, change positions, or find an organization you can get committed to, but don’t linger. And by the way, you either need to first lead or follow before you get out of the way. Don’t quit prematurely without stepping up and trying to do the best you can. Just because it’s hard doesn’t mean you should quit. It’s only when we have given everything we’ve got to lead or follow that we get out of the way if need be.
