Are you a leader or a follower?
Learning to Call Myself a Leader, Even When It Doesn’t Feel Like It
Most of the time, I follow. I observe. I listen. I respect order, structure, and the flow of things. That’s the default most people see in me. I’m not loud or forceful, and I don’t always walk into a room expecting to be in charge. So, it’s easy—maybe even natural—to assume I’m a follower.
But the truth is : I lead more than I follow. I just don’t always feel like a leader.
With experience,clarity, piece by piece ,day by day ,I have developed a personal vision—something I believe in, something I want to build. And every day I make decisions that are not dictated by others but guided by that inner compass. That’s leadership.
Leading myself, my choices, my discipline, my growth—that’s where my leadership shows up. It does not usually come with applause or approval. Certainly steady and sure. It keeps going when nobody is watching. It holds the line when doubt creeps in.
This kind of leading often gets overlooked, especially by those living it. Besides being visible which is usually a byproduct of leadership ,we tend to believe that leadership has to be validated, or loud. I come to realize that leadership is first simply showing up for your own life with integrity, purpose, and consistency as a result you encourage another to live the same.
So yes, I follow. I’m teachable. I watch and learn from those ahead of me. But I also lead—myself, my vision, and the spaces I enter. And even when it doesn’t feel like it, I am a leader.
The kind who builds quietly.
The kind who doesn’t wait to be chosen.
The kind who keeps going anyway.
Subscribe
Until next time
Leave a Reply