“Don’t be a follower, be a leader.” How many hundreds of times has any millennial had this phrase uttered to them? The sentiment is that you should never forgo individuality to be a part of the in crowd. To be innovative. To be a trailblazer.
And yet, the idiom has even further implications that could be harmful in the long run. Many people believe that being a follower constitutes weakness, a lack of wit, intelligence, hootspa and initiative. The “don’t be a follower” ideology completely ignores the fact that, not only is there is honorability in being a follower, but that it’s necessary to our function.
One of the biggest ironies of the ideology is that it is often being uttered to school-aged children, who spend eight hours a day following the instruction of their teachers. Those teachers, in turn, work under the authority of their administrators, who are under the command of their superintendent, and so on and so forth.
This is much akin to the career field, just following our many years of education. No matter if you jump straight into the working world after high school, or spend the next six or eight years pursuing professional degrees, you will likely begin at the bottom of the totem pole, doing grunge work that those above us don’t have time to be bothered with all under the premise that eventually we will gain the skills and knowledge we need in order to be able to instruct and lead others.
Life is made up of systems-- whether they be present school, work, home or church-- and systems require both leadership and people who are willing to follow in order to be able to function.
Being a follower requires humility-- to know that we are not excellent at all things. It is the willingness to be nurtured and nourished. It requires selflessness-- putting the good of the group ahead of personal pride, the desire to be praised by being the most visible member.
In relationships, following is an act of love, trust and respect. It is allowing yourself to be shaped, influenced and cultivated into a (hopefully) healthier, more viable human being.
Leadership is great and everyone should strive to be a leader in their particular area of expertise, but never again doubt the beauty of being a good follower.
