There's No Leaders in the Back Row

I've been teaching supervisors and other first line managers for many years and, while I've never taken a formal survey on the question, I'll bet most of them view themselves a leaders. So why do so many of them sit in the back row in classes and seminars? Why do so many of them remain silent throughout the discussions? Why is it when we seek someone to be a meeting leader or volunteer, most of them look down and hope I won't call on them?

Is that just human nature? Perhaps so. I used to be that way too. But I don't believe you find leaders in the back row. Head down. Not willing to speak up. Or share their thoughts, or argue their points or give and take in a dialog with others.

I learned many years ago, before I was in high school, that if you want something in life you have to seek it out. Ask for it. Let people know you are interested in it. And I learned somewhat later in life that if you want to be a leader you need to stand up, state your beliefs, point the way, make the decision, take advantage of opportunities, position yourself to benefit from luck, stick to your beliefs when you are right, always listen to what others say, learn from experiences, know when to give and take, admit when you are wrong, give credit to others when they are right, but always keep moving forward even if that means picking yourself up, dusting yourself off and eating humble pie. That's what leaders do. And they don't do it from the back row with their head down.

About me: Dan Pelley teaches what it takes to be a leader as part of his "Leadership Skills" program, one of five programs leading to a Certificate in Supervisory Management. 137 companies in Connecticut (CT), Rhode Island (RI), Massachusetts (MA) and New York have one or more people who earned this certificate.

Copyright © 2009 Daniel W. Pelley
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