Are You A Leader?

Are You A Leader?
by Leonard Roos

In this world there are two kinds of people. You find leaders, who 
are few and far in between, and then there are followers who make up 
the vast majority of people in the world.

Leaders usually know where they are going, but the followers don't, 
because they are following. Now, I know that there is a debate about 
whether one is born a leader or whether one becomes one. I have a 
unique take on that.

I believe that everyone of us is born with the ability to become a 
leader, but whether one becomes a leader or not depends on what one 
chooses later in life.

Let me use an analogy to illustrate. We all agree that all woman are 
born with the ability to give birth and become a mother, but not 
everyone will become one. The same goes for being a father. Every 
male is born with the ability to become a father but not everyone 
will choose to become one.

What is the difference between a leader and a follower? A leader is 
someone who finds and goes his own way. A follower is someone who 
doesn't find his own way, but instead follows others.

To lead is to take responsibility. Firstly for yourself, your life 
(past and future), including your failures and mistakes. Secondly for 
those whose lives have been entrusted to you such as your family and 
others who crossed your paths.

A leader is not necessarily someone who is heading a big
organization. Leaders can be found everywhere. You can be a
leader in your home, your job, your church and your community. 

Followers on the other hand, don't want to take responsibility. They 
are quick to criticize and find fault with almost everything. If they 
are not happy with the one organization or job they simply go 
somewhere else. They don't want to take any responsibility for 
anything.

What do you need to become a leader?
You need courage, belief in yourself and your abilities and the
knowledge that you can make a difference.

What are you?
A leader or a follower? Are you who or what you
want to be in life? If yes, then well done.

However, if not, what are you doing about it. Followers accept
their situations and blame others. Leaders don't just accept
their situations, they do something about it.

It is never too late to choose to become a leader.

Fact is: If you are not leading you are following somebody else.
And since your leader is going his own way, you have no control
over where he may lead you. The only way you can change where
and how you are led is, when you take control. By doing that, you
have in essence become a leader.

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Leonard Roos has touched and helped change the lives of
many through his coaching.