Lead by Following
September 1, 2010
Even though most of you didn’t need practice, I thank you for coming out to join us at our recent Emerging Professional’s Summer Golf Mixer. Now that you’re all limbered up, come help make the annual Golf Tournament a success Friday, Sept. 17. Be a part of the CalCPA team that generates almost $40,000 in student scholarships each year—and see firsthand what we can accomplish as a team!
Allow me to give an early plug for another great opportunity to team up for a good cause. Join chapter past president Donna Bumgarner’s walking crew in the Making Strides Against Breast Cancer 5-K walk in downtown San Jose Saturday, Oct. 30. The event supports the Bay Area American Cancer Society, and the CalCPA team that shows up always has a great time! Stay tuned for more updates to come.
In my previous President’s Messages, I have discussed many aspects of leadership. But one fact is inescapable—it isn’t easy to lead. While some of the attributes of a good leader might come more naturally to some people, I think you’d be pretty hard pressed to find someone who naturally does all of them.
One trick to improving your leadership skills is learning how to be a good follower. When you are a leader who is also a good follower you can understand both sides of the equation and provide what is needed in a given situation.
Perhaps what a particular situation needs is not a Type A leader, but one who is able to let go of the reins a little bit and be more of a cheerleader. Sometimes hands-on instruction is required. As someone who also knows how to follow, you will recognize the look of panic on the faces of the people you are leading when you ask them to do something without enough direction or something impossible.
Perhaps the right thing for you to do as a leader in a given situation is to be the support person. Not in every situation must you be the lead dog. Maybe there are unique skills that someone else possesses that you do not. Perhaps the best thing you can do is support the person’s leadership. Consider, therefore, whether there may be a time when you need to be a leader by being part of the team.