"A leader is one who knows the way, goes the way, and shows the way." - John Maxwell

Leadership implies that there is someone or something to lead. It also implies there is a destination, a goal, or an outcome. The leader is the one guiding others along the way. There are leaders and followers. Sometimes people can go quickly from being one to the other. Both positions, leaders and followers, have their pros and cons. Leaders are held responsible for the success or failure of an endeavor. So if a venture is successful, a leader might be promoted to an even higher position. If a venture fails, a leader can be demoted or fired. Leaders are also rewarded and given credit when everything goes right. Some people enjoy the responsibility that comes with being a leader. Followers may enjoy not having to make decisions. Followers may enjoy the simplicity of laboring on tasks versus deciding what tasks to do, why, and how to do them.

Being a leader takes certain kinds of skills. Someone in a leadership position must make decisions and decide how, when, and where things will be done. The burden of the choice falls on his or her shoulders and so does the burden of the consequences of that choice. The leader must have the knowledge of his industry or profession to know with confidence that he is making the right choice. He also must have communication skills to convey this to his team. There is a certain charisma that a leader must possess. It doesn't have to be that of a public speaker, but simply an aura of strength that others are drawn to want to follow. Finally, the best leaders are also servant minded and humble - willing to do for his team anything necessary to accomplish their established goal.

Followers generally go along with the leader's decisions. Followers may not always agree with what the leader wants to do, but by nature of their position carry out their assigned tasks. Followers help achieve goals but may not be recognized by promotion or pay raises. They are also not be as likely to be fired if the leader is held accountable for his or her choices, but they have a vital role in any accomplishment within the organization - the leader cannot accomplish great things by himself.

Are people born leaders? Not necessarily. People can learn skills to function as better leaders. Many people have instincts or an urge to take control. Other leaders are offered and choose to accept leadership roles. Some leaders are voted into a position. Others take a position by force. Make no mistake about it, no matter how you get there, if you think you are a leader, but have no one following, you are thinking wrong. The very term "leader" implies intrinsically that there is someone following. Only those who influence others to follow can be called leaders. "He, who thinks he leads, but has no followers, is only taking a walk." -Chinese Proverb

Leadership appears in everyday life, whether on the playground or in the boardroom. Guiding yourself or others involves determining priorities and making choices. Over time, everyone develops some form of leadership skills and become examples to their peers. Children are generally considered followers. They do what their parents tell them. The parents making the decisions are the leaders. Eventually, children begin to make choices and develop their own leadership skills. Those skills should continue to be developed through adulthood if a leadership role is chosen - and that only happens intentionally, not by default or position.

Both leaders and followers are necessary in any organizational structure. The best leaders were also the best followers first. Being coachable, humble, and confident or your abilities, and taking action are the traits that a follower needs to adopt to be good in both roles should leadership opportunities come their way.