Are you a leader or a follower? Be honest....
By dloveli
@dloveli (4366)
United States
February 19, 2008 9:41am CST
Now that I am a mom, I am always telling my girls to be a leader not a follower. What I am trying to tel them is that thinking for themselves is a must not a maybe. I, myself, am a leader. I have a strong personality. I tend to overstate things. For many years I let myself be bullied in relationships with both men and women. My friendships were just as bad as my romantic relationships. My parents didnt hurt each other physically or mentally so I thought. I couldnt understand why I chose men who wanted to own me not respect me. It wasnt until I realized that hurt can be emotional as well. From that day on I became a leader. I make my own decisions. I take care of me. I am not afraid of standing up for myself or someone that I care about. I like who I am today. ANd today I am a leader? My sister is a follower. She is shy and quiet. She prefers to let someone else take center stage and this is ok with her. Believe it or not she is a successful banker. She says that for her there is a time and a place to lead. At work she leads. In other parts of her life she stays a follower. I am not so sure I agree with that. Are you a leader or a follower? Please describe.
2 people like this
3 responses
@Saicows (113)
• Brazil
20 Feb 08
I´ve always want to be a follower. It´s easy to live if you have somebody telling you what to do and how to do. But fate is cruel and always prove to be right. My parents are unemployed, my college its expensive, and i got to save money to married my fiancee. But nobody gonna take my hand and show me the way. So we, leaders, got to build our own path and guide those people that can´t find their own.
Great discussion Loveli!
@dloveli (4366)
• United States
20 Feb 08
I am extremely touched by your response. The sad reality is that bad things happen to good people. I have had people say to me " D I cant believe how bad your luck is," My luck is terrible. I do know this though, All the things that are trying to bring you down wont win. Just by your response I know that you are not a quitter. Your mother must be so prou. I am proud that you responded to my discussion and shared such a moving response. Thank you so much. It takes alot of courage to admit our misfortunes. Good Luck my friend. It will work out eventually. Be patient. d
@kwenge (2487)
• Kenya
20 Feb 08
Hey friend,
I think am a leader, I take charge of my business and dont follow what other people do but they sometimes follow my word.
Even my fiancee sometimes asks me for opinions and if I advice him, mark you he heeds to my advice. I dont know why people like my advice, I really can't give reasons. Sometimes I tell someone something and when he/she later tells me that I helped, I remain to wonder why. I think its a God given gift inside me. I am not proud of it though. My friends are proud of me and they can not make crucial decissions without asking me.
That's the reason why I think am a leader.
@dloveli (4366)
• United States
20 Feb 08
I couldve guessed that one!lol Anyone with such a great sense of humor could be nothing other than a leader. You have to have courage and a tough skin to be funny. People take humor in many different ways. I, too, have a good sense of humor (or so I am told), I have to understand that not everyone, everytime, everywhere, will have the same views on what I think could be funny or not. This is a great lesson to carry with all aspects of life as well. Being a leader, having a tough skin allows you to be strong and competitive in the job market, relationships, and general decision making. I think you are a great leader. Gotta go my friend from Kenya is IM me. lol
@blueunicorn (2401)
• United States
19 Feb 08
I think I would describe myself as a leader. Like you, I spent a lot of time in my younger years being walked all over. When I finally saw what was happening I changed that. I am now someone I am proud of. I don't have a lot of friends, and I think it is probably because I don't put up with "junk" from people any more. I am okay with that, though!
@dloveli (4366)
• United States
19 Feb 08
You are my friend that's for sure! It sometimes helps to have to have learned the hard way.I, too, have been through hell and back. I know what its like to be walked all over. It hurts. I also have learned from those experiences and I pick my friends accordingly. I am a mother now and I dont want my children to be hurt. However, it is healthy for them to experience a little tiff here and there with friends. It gives them character. I think in some cases that followers are good too. There the ones who are listening and learning. I am glad everything has worked out in your favor. You are a friend in my book. I like leaders!
