Best Advice: If You Want To Lead, Learn How To Follow

The action of leading a group of people or an organization, or the ability to do this

I have always been interested in the concept of leadership. We all have a natural need to follow people in life, to look up to people with more knowledge, experience or confidence.

In the business world, good leaders shape a company with their ability to inspire, motivate and deliver results through their teams. For a lot of people leadership becomes the "next step" in their career, something they aspire to and work towards.

So what's the best advice to give someone working towards or already working in a leadership role?

If you want to lead, learn how to follow.

To be a successful leader, you must know how to follow and how to be followed. Self reflection is a great way of finding what works. What do you look for in a leader? How have your own leaders been successful in leading you?

You will need to give people a reason to follow you, a reason to look up to you and a reason to do what you ask.

Whilst being in a leadership position you will naturally have a level of authority, people will do more for you out of respect then out of fear.

By learning how to follow successfully, you'll learn how to lead successfully.

What do you think? What would be your best advice for successful leadership? Please write your thoughts in the comments box and share your leadership experience.