Leading From the Front

I’m confused.  I’ve always thought I was a behind the scenes leader, and maybe I am, but I realized something today…maybe…sorta.  I think I’m a “lead from the front” kind of person and most people I thought were “lead from the front” people are actually “lead from the rear” people.  What I mean by that is that in leadership positions I’m not afraid to take point in the room—to bring up discussion, steer discussion, move for decisions, etc.  However, my expectation is that people simply follow. 

For example, if we are in a meeting and we decide that such and such a person will do such and such a task my expectation is simply that they will follow through.  They can do it however they see fit unless we decide specifically as a group that it needs to be done a certain way.   I just expect that they’ll be true to their word, and I don’t feel the need to babysit them.  This is, it seems, should be what we mean when we say “leading from the front”—I expect that if I say I’ll do something, I’ll do it.  It may not be how others would do it, but it will get done.  And thus, I expect others to follow that lead. 

Leading from the rear, it seems, is a style which feels the need to push from behind to make sure it gets done or gets done a certain way.  I’m not saying such a person is pushy, but, at least, tends to nudge.  My first concern for this leadership style is that it teaches people that the leader will always be there to keep them on task—which will ultimately burn a leader out.  Secondly, it puts all the pressure on the leader to make sure it gets done and gets done right and sets them up for the scapegoat. Thirdly, because of these things, it takes all the responsibility off the shoulders of the one who is supposed to be doing the work.  Fourth, it doesn’t show any faith in those who agree to do the work.  Fifth, it sets a low standard for expectations to follow through with what was agreed upon by all parties involved.

Yes, by leading from the front you risk greater potential for failure, especially initially, but you also promote a sense of community responsibility, rather than individual responsibility, taking a lot of pressure off of the chosen leader.