Knowing, Blood in the Mouth

Leadership.

What defines a leader?

Here's the definition of a leader. (Click it if you want to know.)

But in our hearts, each and everyone's perception of what a leader is is unique (as with everything else, but we'll stick with leadership for the moment).

I remember hearing somewhere once that a leader is someone who allows others the chance to lead. Does that ring true for all situations?

They say that Alexander the Great was a great leader. There's a story that says he is travelling with his army, and they've run out of water. One of his soldiers finds a small puddle of water, and decides to scoop it up with his helmet and offer it to Alexander. Alexander refuses the water, knocking it out of the helmet saying that if his soldiers have to go without water, then he himself will also have to go without water.

Is that what makes a great leader? One who not only cares about the people they lead, but also wishes to experience and understand what they feel?

Let's bring Business Studies into this. Is a leader someone people refer to because of the advantage in something that they have? If so, what is it? Is it coercive power; the ability to force people to do things? Is it referent power; the fact that they have desirable traits that others admire? Is it expert power; they possess knowledge or the expertise needed for certain tasks? Is it reward power; the ability to grant rewards? Is it legitimate power; they are in a certain position, and thus have more rights and authority? Possibly a leader has all of these qualities, if you can call it that.

Perhaps a leader is just someone who can go with the flow, moreso than anyone else, which is why people follow them. Or they could be trend setters.

What does it take, to be able to grab and hold that position of power? Charisma? Courage? Pride? Optimism? Intelligence? Knowledge? Strength? We certainly associate these qualities with a leader. Even when someone frigid and shy "comes out of their shell" to lead others, they are portrayed and viewed as having most, if not all of these things when leading.

What about following? They say it takes just as much will, or more, to follow, than to lead. To follow means to accept, and occasionally question the lead of the other. That is the meaning of a true leadership. But the world contains so much greed, so much hunger for power and money, that leaders no longer listen to those they lead. There is no such thing as pure democracy in reality. Theoretically, yes, but realistically, no.

I read somewhere (again, heh. I seem to be reading a lot of these things.) that someone who does not lead, and does not follow, makes the perfect roadblock. And you know, I've heard many names shouted at me in my short lifetime, and roadblock isn't one of them, but it sure as hell is close to what I've been called before.

So answer me this question, dear readers: Am I a leader, follower, or roadblock?

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Same. Everyday, without fail.
Which ones? I can tell you if you like.