Not everyone is cut out to be a leader in life.
And while there’s nothing inherently wrong with being a follower, you do need to know what side of the line you stand on. Once you understand your natural tendencies, your personal and professional life will get a whole lot better. Here are some brutally honest signs that you might be more of a follower than a leader.
1. You can’t make decisions without consulting other people first.
If you always need other people’s input before making even minor choices, it’s a clear sign you’re more comfortable following than leading. While collaboration is valuable, leaders need to be able to trust their own judgement and make timely decisions. If you’re paralysed by the thought of choosing without a consensus, you’re likely more suited to a follower role.
2. You rarely speak up in meetings unless directly asked.
Leaders are typically vocal, sharing their ideas and opinions freely. If you tend to stay quiet during discussions, only contributing when specifically called upon, it’s a strong indicator that you’re more comfortable in a follower position. This hesitancy to speak up can stem from a fear of being wrong or drawing attention to yourself.
3. You find comfort in routine and struggle with change.
Leaders often thrive on innovation and aren’t afraid to shake things up. If you find yourself resisting new ideas or clinging to “the way things have always been done”, you’re displaying a follower mentality. This doesn’t mean you can’t adapt, but your natural inclination is towards stability rather than trailblazing.
4. You avoid taking responsibility for group outcomes.
When a project succeeds or fails, leaders step up to take credit or accept blame. If you find yourself shrinking into the background during these moments, letting other people handle the spotlight or fallout, it’s a sign you’re more comfortable as a follower. This aversion to responsibility often comes from a fear of criticism or a lack of confidence in your contributions.
5. You frequently look to other people for validation before acting.
Leaders are often self-assured and don’t need constant approval. If you’re always looking for reassurance before moving forward with tasks or ideas, it indicates a follower mindset. This need for external validation can stem from a lack of trust in your own judgement or a fear of making mistakes.
6. You struggle to delegate tasks to other people.
Surprisingly, difficulty in delegating can be a sign of a follower mentality. While it might seem like taking on all the work yourself is leadership, true leaders know how to effectively distribute tasks. If you find it hard to trust people with responsibilities, it might be because you’re more comfortable following clear instructions than giving them.
7. You avoid conflict at all costs.
Leaders often need to navigate disagreements and make tough decisions that not everyone will like. If you go to great lengths to avoid any kind of confrontation, even when it’s necessary, you’re displaying a follower trait. This conflict avoidance often comes from a desire to maintain harmony, even at the expense of progress or resolution.
8. You rarely initiate new projects or ideas.
Leaders are often the ones who come up with new initiatives or suggest improvements. If you’re more comfortable waiting for other people to propose ideas and then helping to implement them, it’s a sign you’re more of a follower. This hesitancy to initiate can stem from a fear of failure or a lack of confidence in your creative abilities.
9. You find it hard to give constructive criticism.
Effective leaders need to be able to provide feedback, both positive and negative. If you shy away from giving honest critiques, even when they’re necessary for improvement, you’re displaying a follower mentality. This reluctance often comes from a fear of damaging relationships or causing discomfort.
10. You struggle to set boundaries with coworkers or friends.
Leaders are often adept at establishing and maintaining healthy boundaries. If you’re consistently overcommitting or unable to say no to requests, even when they’re unreasonable, it’s a sign you’re more comfortable following than leading. This difficulty with boundaries often stems from a desire to please other people and avoid disappointment.
11. You rarely question authority or challenge the status quo.
Leaders aren’t afraid to ask “why” or suggest better ways of doing things. If you tend to accept rules and procedures unquestionably, even when they seem inefficient or outdated, you’re displaying a follower mentality. This hesitancy to challenge norms often comes from a respect for authority or a fear of rocking the boat.
12. You struggle to motivate yourself without external pressure.
Leaders often have strong internal drive and can push themselves towards goals. If you struggle to stay motivated or productive without someone checking in on you, it’s a sign you’re more comfortable in a follower role. This reliance on external motivation can stem from a lack of self-discipline or clarity about personal objectives.
13. You often go along with group decisions, even when you disagree.
Leaders are willing to stand their ground when they believe strongly in something. If you always agree with the group consensus, even when it goes against your better judgement, you’re displaying a follower trait. This tendency often comes from a desire to maintain harmony or avoid standing out.
14. You struggle to see the big picture in projects or situations.
Leaders typically excel at understanding how various elements connect and impact the overall goal. If you struggle to see beyond your immediate tasks or struggle to understand how your work fits into larger objectives, it’s a sign you might be more suited to a follower role. This focus on details rather than strategy is valuable, but it’s a characteristic more common in followers than leaders.
15. You avoid public speaking or presenting whenever possible.
Leaders often need to communicate ideas to groups, large and small. If the thought of giving a presentation or speaking in front of other people fills you with dread, to the point where you actively avoid these situations, it’s a sign you’re more comfortable as a follower. This aversion to public speaking often stems from a fear of judgement or lack of confidence in your ideas.
16. You struggle to make unpopular decisions, even when necessary.
Leaders sometimes need to make choices that aren’t crowd-pleasers, but are in the best interest of the team or organisation. If you can’t make decisions that might upset people, even when you know they’re right, you’re displaying a follower mentality. This difficulty often comes from a strong desire to be liked or a fear of facing criticism.
