Lead or Follow?

[elfpirate]

Are you a leader or a follower? Or perhaps both or neither?

I'm usually neither... I'm usually the "lone wolf" type, though every once in a while, a few others will stray from the pack and decide to follow me- I'm not exactly sure why.

I've never been the type to be a follower, though... and I really don't have any desire to lead others. I'd rather just do my own thing, and if someone decides to follow- well, that's their decision... doesn't much matter to me...

And I will take the leader position if I must, but I'd prefer to do my own thing...

So what are the rest of you? And why do consider yourself to be one or the other, etc...

(And please- I'm aware of the whole "evils of labelling and classification" mantra, so let's avoid the parroting of that lecture, okay? The thread wasn't started to brand anyone... I'm just curious about how you see yourselves on this topic...)

[Retribution]

I suppose I'm a bit of both.

In situations where I'm not the best suited to lead, I just sit back, and go with the flow. However, I won't accept people's authority unquestioningly. I always chip in my thoughts, to make the cause better, whatever the cause may be.

In other times, when I'm the strongest leader, I can take over quite nicely. I don't boss people too hard, so people will follow me. I'm open to suggestions, allowing for people to voice their opinions. But most of the time, I'm a follower. Whenever there's a group being formed in school, I don't want the responsibility of being the leader of the group.

[Zenriek]

I'm a "lone wolf" too.

I never have had any interest in being a leader, too much responsibility, too much expectation, and not much fun.

I don't really follow. If I want to do something different from other people, I'll do it. Why should I care what the other people think? If some leader wants to do something they think is cool, and I didn't, I wouldn't do it.

Being a "lone wolf" is really the most fun. Nobody expects you to follow the crowd, be like them. Although you do get made fun of sometimes, it's better (in my opinion).

[elfpirate]

[QUOTE=Zenriek]
Being a "lone wolf" is really the most fun. Nobody expects you to follow the crowd, be like them. Although you do get made fun of sometimes, it's better (in my opinion).

[color=darkred]In my experience, people still [i]expect [/i]me to follow the crowd- I just don't care...[/color]
[color=#8b0000][/color]
[color=#8b0000]And I don't know about it being the most fun... it can get to be a lonely existence at times... but it's just the way I am... so, of course, I think it's better for me than the alternatives... (if I didn't, I'd start following someone else's lead...)[/color]

[sinna]

I tend to be apathetic about most things, so I've never been in the "leader" role.

[AzureWolf]

[FONT=book antiqua][SIZE=2][COLOR=blue]I'm definately a follower. I've discovered an interesting fact about the business world when it comes to doing things: those in charge are absolute idiots and have no clue what the hell is going on. That being said, I prefer being a follower and actually having the satisfaction of knowing that I'm doing something genuine.

I'm talking about business in general (I don't know if this applies anywhere else except in the work-related field). Don't even try to tell me Biz-Tech majors do real work. Yeah, I've seen your syllabi: "Introduction to Microsoft PowerPoint." That's like the toughest course out of the bunch too.

Granted, these leaders don't need to know how to do anything. Rather, the followers do all the work, and make things that need to happen, happen.[/COLOR][/SIZE][/FONT]

[Azure Rose]

[COLOR=DarkSlateBlue]I'd have to say I'm a little bit of both. If I'm a position to lead, I'll go for it, especially if it's something I'm interested in, or have a really great idea for. I have to admit though, that if I take the initiative to lead, I want things done my way, and although I don't try to, I can end up being pretty bossy. On the other hand, when it comes to matters I care nothing about (say, dissecting a worm in AP Biology, for instance) or if I'm in a bad mood for some reason, I'm generally content to follow someone else's lead. Heh, I suppose it just depends on the situation, or maybe just the weather.

~Azure Rose [/COLOR]

[MissWem]

[QUOTE=AzureWolf][FONT=book antiqua][SIZE=2][COLOR=blue]
Granted, these leaders don't need to know how to do anything. [/COLOR][/SIZE][/FONT][/QUOTE]
[COLOR=DarkRed][SIZE=1]Well, I've just become one of those leaders who don't know what they're doing. Y'know what? It's tough doing a job you know little about XD

Recently I've become a peer support leader, which basically means I'm responsible for looking after a couple of the new yr 9 to our school. I really have no idea what I'm doing, but I suggest something and most of them listen...

I've been more comfortable following than leading. Unless it was a situation where I knew what was going on.[/SIZE][/COLOR]

[Shugo54]

[COLOR=Navy][FONT=Book Antiqua]I am neither a follower or a Leader. I create my own path. I create my own beliefs. I create my own path in life. I hate following. it's stupid and pointless. Leading is also stupid and pointless..people only become leaders because they want to feel big and strong..they want to be praised for leading..it's pathetic. I walk far away from everyone.I also only hang out with people who are neither followers nor leaders. I only associate with them. Everyone else I think is pathetic because they either want to feel strong and brave being a leader or they want to follow just to fit in. It's sickening. Well That is my statement and I stick to it =P[/FONT][/COLOR]

[Hevn]

[COLOR=Purple][SIZE=1][COLOR=Plum][B]*is more of a follower than a leader*[/B][/COLOR]

My follower side loves to follow instructions and when I know the basics of things already, I step forward and try leading using my own strategies and stuffies. As a leader I'm quite [B][COLOR=Plum]obsessive compulsive[/COLOR][/B] as I want plans and things really organized and well thought of. I can't work alone. I'll always need the opinion and ideas of others.

Yeah, that's all I have to say.[B] [COLOR=Plum]*disappears in a poof*[/COLOR][/B][/SIZE][/COLOR]

[Fall]

I'm both.

I tend to follow and lead. I usally just go with the flow, you know, I either end up following or end up leading. I don't [i]try[/i] to lead or follow.

[Panda]

I am both a leader and a follower. It really depends on the situation.

When I was working in veterinary medicine I was a leader. I was never afraid to make decisions. Many of the times, especially during emergencies, decisions needed to be made quickly. I had no problem telling people what to do and how to do it. When put into that situation I was never afraid to take the reigns. Anything dealing with my career I have never been timid about making decisions and being the one in charge.

Other times I am very content to sit back in the shadows. I can go with the flow and let other people be in control. I feel there is a time and place for certain actions and I know when I need to let someone else be the leader. I know I am not qualified to be the leader and my place is as a follower. I am happy being a mix of both leader and follower.

[kabapu]

I see myself as neither a leader, nor as a follower. I guess im a "lone wolf".

basically, i don't acre what "the crowd" thinks or does. they have no brain, and can only function as a collective. ..stupid fools.

[Delta]

[COLOR=#B33D79][SIZE=1]I say different conditions call for different leader-persons.

I wouldn't want to lead plane crash survivors hopelessly stuck in deserted Pacific island; jungle survival just isn't my forte. (Damn. Blew my chances on getting mentioned in [url=http://www.otakuboards.com/showthread.php?t=45503]this thread[/url].) I'd rather be the cute girl who scavenges for (and slips poisonous bark sap into) food.

Now if there exists a situation (however remotely possible) that I'd make an excellent candidate for a leader... but since I couldn't think of any, I am by default a [b]follower[/b].

Truly lovin' Hevn's pink font.[/SIZE][/COLOR]

[Rei_Man]

I'd say I'm a follower all the way.

You see, my introvert personality doesn't really provide a great basis for leading a group in any situation, good or bad. Plus you have the fact that on the most part I'm just too plain lazy to spend my time gathering up followers in the first place.

That said, I'm not the sort who'll just follow any given person because they're popular or what-not. Even a lazy introvert can tell a good leader when he sees one, and would rather follow someone with some measure of intelligence than follow a popular moron.