understanding?

[hypatia42]

I just made an intuitive leap and want some check in.

I'm no good at leading people. I have known this about myself for a long time. Borne out of long experience. I think the reason behind this is that I have no interest in being the sort of dominant that leading requires. I'm just too damn independent.

Comments

[roy-batty.livejournal.com]

By "want some check-in", are you indicating you want a reality-check on the logic/conclusions, or are you referring to just "checking in" and letting people know about your inutitive leap, or something else?

[siriciryon.livejournal.com]

Assuming you mean a reality-check, I don't think dominant is the right contrast to independent here. You are too individualistic to really give a damn whether anywhere goes with you where you're planning to go. Yes, dominant types are inclined to lead, but as noted elsewhere, that has a lot to do with wanting to run things. Good leaders are more about getting things done and making it possible for others to help/join in than about being in charge.

[theladyshannon.livejournal.com]

I think the phrase that struck me the most is "the sort of dominant that leading requires". The word dominant specifically. My perception is that leadership doesn't have to be a dominant roll. Leadership for me is about living your life as an example and encouraging others to do the same, not necessarily telling them what to do nor how to do it.

Perhaps you are being called to look at something from a different perspective?

[lapiswitch.livejournal.com]

As a person who does lead -- a lot -- I have to say that I don't think it has anything to do with dominance. It has to do with confidence, encouragement, and strength. You have to have a destination. You have to know how to get there. You have to encourage others to come with you. They need to know that you have the strength and knowledge to get them there, mostly unharmed.

To lead through dominance is often to lead through fear and coercion (sp?).

[hypanebliss.livejournal.com]

One facet of leadership for me is in knowing and to some degree predicting what the group actually needs. In many cases that will involve consistant communication. It also involves the leader have a certain degree of self awareness so that they can discern the needs of the group. I really don't think you are so independant that you cannot lead a group. :) There is a relationship that is formed and also an amount of expectation that is lent to the role of a leader. Perhaps it is better to state it's a role that isn't appealing rather than one you aren't good at.

Or maybe this is all just conjecture and pondering over word usage, which so often causes internet conversations to be problematic. :P