Are You a Follower or Worker?
Which are you?
Are you a follower?
Are you a worker?
Do you know the difference?
A worker is someone with a boss.
Many people start their careers as a worker. Usually, they are not working for a boss they have chosen. They apply for a job, get the job and go to work. At that point, it’s a job and not yet a career.
Unfortunately, far too many people never go beyond worker status. There are reasons and excuses.
First: “It’s a job, and I need the income.” “I will find something better later.”
Next: “I’m afraid to look for something better.” “Another boss or job may be worse than the one I have.”
Then: “Even though I am not challenged here, I’m comfortable.” “I get a new boss every few years; maybe the next one will be better.”
Finally: “I know the system here; I understand all of the silly and stupid rules; I don’t like them, but I get to leave all of this behind every day at 5:00 o’clock.” “I know how to avoid risks here and avoid blame for all the crazy things that go wrong.”
A worker wants and needs a boss to tell him or her exactly what to do and how to do it.
A worker may be fully committed to the boss and/or the organization but avoids risks.
Every organization needs workers.
There is nothing wrong with being a worker.
A follower is someone who has chosen a leader
A follower may begin his or her career as a worker, but a follower will not be satisfied to stay a worker. A follower will learn as much as possible from his or her good and bad bosses while continuously searching for a leader of his or her choice.
A follower is determined to develop a satisfying and successful career.
First: No matter what it takes, a follower will find a leader of his or her choice.
Next: A follower will choose a boss who is a leader with a unifying purpose that he or she will wholeheartedly commit to as if it were his or her own, and that is what it will become.
Then: The follower will be absolutely loyal and supportive of the leader in achieving their joint unifying purpose. The follower and leader will work together to accomplish their joint success.
Finally: The follower will boldly take risks and exercise his or her initiative to help the leader succeed without fear and with confidence of the leader’s support.
A follower wants a boss who is a leader.
A follower wants a leader who tells his or her followers what he or she wants and leaves it up to the followers to determine how to do it.
A follower thrives on risks and the freedom to use his or her own initiative and creativity.
Only leaders attract followers.
If there is a leader, there will be followers.
If there are no followers, there is no leader.
A Follower Is Someone Who Has Chosen a Leader.
–Jimmy Collins
My book, Creative Followership is available on Amazon: http://a.co/gu8jeFE
My latest book, Jimmy’s Stories is available on Amazon. http://a.co/5wfFRaK
Signed and personalized books are available on Biblo.com
Creative Followership; http://www.bibliocom/book/creative-followership-signed-jimmy=collins/d/1242065835
Jimmy’s Stories; http://www.biblio.com/book/jimmys-stories-signed-jimmy-collins/d/1242065914
