Thoughts on Leadership

I have an issue with how much emphasis society places on Leadership,

and I honesty think it is having a negative impact on people.

I see that leadership is a great quality to possess, but what about the people out there who are happy following? The majority of people in the world are simply going about their business and living happily (or not so happily if you are in a 3rd world country) without the stress of being told to lead. 

I suppose I am mad at the media at the moment. The t.v is flooded with Olympic stories and events and apart from the fact I want to watch normal t.v again I cannot believe the stress that these athletes are under. I understand that they are role models to young people and aspiring sportspeople, but come on! These young people should not need to apologise for not winning a gold medal, or make comments like "letting the country down". Not good at all. To me, this attitude is what is a bad example to people back home, and the coaches and the media are to blame as far as I am concerned.

Being a good leader and a good role model is not about winning or losing. Its about HOW you win or lose. 

And, keep in mind, someone is still leading the leaders in this sporting situation. This is what i mean about the coaches needing to take responsibility. I think about all the people in history who have made huge impacts on the world - one could call them good leaders, and it is interesting what you notice when you look closely. They did not do these things alone. After all, what is a leader without someone to lead?

Who is in charge?

Good question! Who actually is in charge when it comes to groups, clubs, religions, political parties etc? Is it the spokesman? The "Face" of the organisation? Or is it the key supporting people? 

I think it is these immediate followers who are actually the leaders. 

Take the Catholic Church for example. is it really the Pope who leads the Church? Or is it the key group of Cardinals that all surround the Pope? 

Or the government. Is it Julia Gillard who leads Australia, or is it her Cabinet and Party members? 

This is not to say that these Figureheads do not possess leadership skills. The need to have a certain 'something' that makes people want to follow them. but really it is the First Followers who make it a movement, and bring an idea to life. 

A few years ago, possibly at uni or Take or something, we were shown a video of Dancing Guy, which played while a guy told a story of how a movement is started. Its a really short lecture, by Derek Sivers but it really resonated with me. 

Basically, he says that without followers, a leader is simply a Lone Nut dancing in a field by himself. And its true! Any great idea you have, if no one else supports it then its just you and your idea. It takes more people to make a reality. And the first follower is the most important because he/she shows others that its OK to follow too. 

Seriously, check out this video:

The first follower is an understated leader!

And why is any of this negative?

Because of the pressure that it puts young people under. I don't know if they are still doing it in schools, but when I was at school everyone was being pushed to lead and excel at something. I feel that more is placed on individual success rather than team work. There is absolutely nothing wrong with being a follower, provided you are supporting the right cause. 

No one is asking you to start another Greenpeace movement, I am pretty sure it would be better to get behind the original and follow. 

This isn't to say that there is anything wrong with new ideas either. But what I am trying to say is that lets all just calm down and let people sort themselves out. Stop with the pressure of leading and allow people to follow sometimes. If someone has an awesome idea, then support it rather than trying to top it. 

So back to my original beef with sports and all that - don't blame the athletes if you are unhappy with them. Blame the coaches, because they are the ones leading them. These kids need to be taught how to be better follows I think. There is something to be said for simply 'towing the line'. 

Not sure if any of this makes sense or not, but feel free to disagree with me! 

In a nutshell:

• You don't have to lead, its ok to follow
• Sometimes its the followers/supporters with the power. Leaders are often puppets
• Look at who/what is guiding those who lead before you judge them harshly

In other news...

I have the first of my videos up on YouTube. Its not great, i'll be honest, but I will get better the more I do it. I feel weird talking to myself, and you can tell because there are list of awkward pauses. I was going to delete it and scrap the whole idea, but this whole thing is a learning experience so I put it up anyway :) This one is me crapping on about this whole leadership idea. 

Check it out!

Korea

I have had confirmation that my visa is being attended to, and I should hear this week about a visa number. Once I have this number I can go to the Korean Embassy and pick up my E2 visa yaaayyy! Until then I can't book my flights or anything, so its still a waiting game. I cleaned my room today and I have put a suitcase out, so as i think of things I want to take i'll throw it straight in. So far I have my toiletries bag in there and a grammar book. And my La Trobe jumper.

Horses

Billie is cantering! And I rode Beau the other day, even though he is still a bit lame. Please don't judge me, he isn't in any pain he is just stiff. Plus if he has the energy to stuff around and rear and break his rope and run all over the property then he is fine for a short ride.

I will try and get someone to video me riding the pony and put it up so I can prove that I do actually ride my horses...

Thats it for now. 

Reminder for Melbourne people - Come catch up with me at the MC Lion on the 18th August. It will be the last time we call catch up before I head off overseas!

xoxo