Neither Leader nor Follower.
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Don’t walk in front of me… I may not follow
Don’t walk behind me… I may not lead
Walk beside me… just be my friend
Albert Camus
There is a point when we just have to turn up as we are and trust that it is enough for those who know us.
We have saturated the business landscape with notions of leadership until there is no part we can walk on without squelching through traits, qualities, or however many steps to greatness books.
I cannot think of a single great leader who set out to be one, but plenty who lay claim to be but are nowhere close. Leaders in their own story, maybe, but all too often, clowns to the rest of us.
In a comment earlier in the week, Michael Moriarty observed that “the standard we walk by is the standard we accept”.
I think that pretty much nails it, and will save you a fortune in leadership books and courses. His comment reflects the Camus quote at the start of the post.
Listen for what is calling you, and start. Fashion is shallow and temporary. It is not your friend.
Walk with others looking for what you are, and be their friend.
Sometimes, you will lead; sometimes, you will follow.
But the path you walk will be your own.
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