“Life’s a dance you learn as you go. Sometimes you lead, sometimes you follow. ” How beautifully sung by John Michael Montgomery. All of us are born either leaders or followers. If we are leaders it is hard for us to follow, if we are followers it is hard for us to lead. I myself was born a leader and found at one point in my life that folllowing was one of the most difficult task that I could perform.
Since I was born with leadership attributes I found it hard to not jump into a situation and take charge. Especially if it was an area of expertise. Although, I have found many times that what ever I am doing or wanting to do may not be what God has planned for me.
Many years ago as I begun hunting for a job; I found that employment positions were few and far between. Finally I came across one position that seemed to match my qualifications and interests. I applied for the position with high hopes and waited for the call. Several days later I did receive the anticipated call. It was the employer offering me a position. Not the position I had applied for but a position for an assistant to the previous position. I was a little upset, but since I was in need of employment I accepted the position. Two days later I was to attend an orientation. Upons arrival I met with my superior; this individual was the candidate that had filled the original position that I had applied for. Much to my surprise my supervisor was around 8 years younger than I was with less experience and education. I felt offended. I thought to myself why would she have been chosen for the position over me. Please keep in mind that I am the type of person that believes that nothing happens by mistake. That all is ordained by God.
I made it through orientation and to my assigned post that following Monday. I had hoped to understand the reasoning behind the employment decision. Day after day we worked; day after day I still did not understand. Following was hard for me; especially following someone that was inexperienced. Every night after I arrived home; I would pray for understanding. Eventually, I did understand. God needed me to learn how to follow as well as lead. As I learned to follow I found out that in order to lead you must first understand how to follow. The next leadership opportunity that I was given; found me leading with a different attitude.
Whether you are a leader or a follower it is important to understand what it is like to be the opposite. Search within yourself; find out who you really are and rejoice in that finding. “Life’s a dance, you learn as you go. Sometimes you lead, sometimes you follow.”
