Evolution psychology
enables humans to solve many different problems. It is important to
recognize your individual preference whether you prefer being the leader or the
follower; but how do we truly know? Are we taught? Is it natural? Is
it something that can change throughout life? Studies have shown that
traits can have an effect on whether a person will be a leader or a
follower. For example, a person with
more testosterone is more likely to be a leader. There are also other physical indicators,
such as age and height that can also have an effect. Fortunately, our society has been pulling
away from always choosing a leader who is a tall, older, and masculine man. We now have women who are holding positions
in the government, police force, etc.
I find it extremely
interesting that so many people view leaders as having certain physical
aspects. If I were to show you different
pictures of people (male, female, tall, short, glasses, bald, white, black, etc.)
and you had to choose one to be your leader, what would you base your answer
off of? Then, what would you want their
personality to be? Does it seem more
appropriate to choose a leader based off of their physical traits or their personality/strengths?
Chapter five also
talks about the importance of why people are followers. People tend to become followers in situations
that they do not know what to do or they feel threatened. For example, we do what police officers tell
us to do without questioning because we could face negative consequences if we
do not. This also explains that people
choose to be followers in situations to keep peace. When was a time that you chose to be a
follower to avoid conflict? Do you feel
you made the right decision?
It is impossible to
know exactly why people are either leaders or followers, but I feel that it is
important to know how people view the “normal” leader. This created awareness to me as a follower to
make sure I base my decision of a leader off of their interests and
personality. Choosing a leader this way
will be much more beneficial to me. This
also makes me more prepared for the future knowing that I am not the “normal”
leader. I am a woman who will probably have
to work harder than most men to convince people that I am a good leader. I will need to make sure I stand out in a way
that people will see past my physical attributes.
Being a women and knowing that it is harder for a women to be in a leadership postion I would definintly choose a female leader. Atlhough I must say I wouldnt want to choose a leader just based off of their apperance. Personality wise I would want a leader to be honest, intellegent and of course strong. Basing leadership off of apperance seems corrupted to me so if i were to choose a leader I would base my decsion off of personality traits
ReplyDeleteWithout the follower there would be no leader. Stepping down from a leadership role is definitly the right thing to do when its for the better of the group and as a leader I have done that.
I think that it is out of habit that if people had to pick out good leaders by looking at photos we would choose the tall, dark and handsome McDreamy male. That is just what society has showed and taught us. I also believe that this image is definitely changing, much more women are holding leadership roles and it may not be long until we have a female president.
DeleteI agree with Janessa that sometimes a true leader does need to step down, if they have to much going on or it is not the right fit. It takes a strong person to do this, again society has taught us that admitting we are wrong or quitting a position makes us seem like a failure. A true leader does not feel that way..
When I picture a leader, I picture someone who can radiate presence. People are going to pay attention to them , and that person is not going to be easily intimated. Granted, certain physical features convey this more than others, I think that when it comes down to it, anyone can command a room and radiate presence. Some people just look like their whole body is yelling "Hey! I'm a leader!"
ReplyDeleteIt should be known that the powerful presence of a leader isn't just loud-talking charismatic leaders. Anyone can command people's attention. And I think it's important to find that power to command and balance it with important developmental traits, as well. You can just keep a room's attention and call yourself a leader. If Megan Fox was in a room, she'd have everyone's attention. That doesn't mean she's a leader. Morgan Freeman has that voice that says "listen." He's not necessarily a leader based on that either.
When thinking about when it is a good time to be a follower rather than a leader, that choice still shows great leadership. Sometimes, another leader may be more experienced, or just may not know how to step back as a leader. Two strong leaders in one group can cause lots of head butting, so it's not always a bad idea to take a back seat but still offer plenty of good input and insight. In group projects I have chosen to do this, often for the first reason where someone has more experience with a subject, or has a great idea already partially formulated that they're ready to run with.
I think it is obvious that we all look more towards personality traits than physical traits when we are inspecting a leader. In a leader, I look for assertiveness and reasonability. I want my leader to be someone who knows when to take something serious and when they should loosen up.
ReplyDeleteI think that most "leaders" in our society measure up to certain physical traits because society raises up people who appear dominant. Being tall and healthy makes one appear to be more likely to be dominant.
There have been several times that I have submitted to a leader, you have to be reasonable and know when someone else should be the leader.
As we all get older and become more involved in different groups or leadership opportunities, we find that is much better to look for leaders with the personality traits that we want. Physical traits do take a small role, but in order to be lead in different situations, we all know of essential leadership traits that we look for in a leader.
DeleteSociety today does prop up better looking or dominant looking leaders above others. But when it comes down to who people choose to lead by, those physical features are certainly not the only thing people are looking for in a leader.
In times of conflict it is important to know when and where you can play a role in the issues. I agree with Joe as saying that sometimes it may be best to let others be the leader.
I think if I was showed a bunch of different pictures I would pick a white male. I know this is very typical in today's society but I feel that in my life experiences so far a lot of my leaders have fit this category. I would want this person to have a passion in whatever we are working to achieve. I would also want this person to be able to relate to the followers. I do not like a leader who cannot relate with the followers.
ReplyDeleteI feel we MUST choose leaders off of their strengths and not their physical traits. Physical traits does not guarantee that anyone will be a good leader.
I feel I choose to be a follower in certain situations with my parents. If it is a situation in which they want to do something I usually follow their lead. I am happy with this decision because they are my parents and are my leaders.
I don't think that anybody has the special blood that would make them a leader all the time. I think that in many cases an individual can be a leader but not always. We take turns leading and following throughout our lives in order to learn where we are most comfortable. I think that leadership is something that changes throughout one's life and we all start out as followers and then mature and grow into some leadership roles.
ReplyDeleteI think that it is always more important to identify leaders by personality traits rather than physical traits- looks can be deceiving.
Most of the time, we choose leaders based on personality traits. However, I think that, to some extent, we instinctively choose leaders based on physical characteristics. I don't think we do this on purpose, it is just what we do. It is more appropriate to choose a leader based off of their their strengths. Physical characteristics does not make someone a good leader. If I were shown multiple pictures of people who were all qualified leaders, I would choose a woman because women have come a long way in leadership roles and I am also female.
ReplyDeleteAn example of when I was a follower was when I ran for PR chair for a club on campus. I was the "lowest" on the E-board but am glad I was. The President and VP had much more responsibility than me, and I did not have the time to put in as much effort as them. Sometimes when we discussed ideas, I ended up liking their ideas more than my own, therefore followed them.
If I were shown a picture line up, I would choose a white male who is physically fit/strong. This answer is based off of my belief that people white people who are physically fit/strong/tall/ have in the past had a advantage over their peers for certain leadership roles. I believe this past trend has faded away with the presence of new laws (Civil Rights Act of 1964), that enable minorities to have a better chance at gaining leadership positions.
ReplyDeleteOn whether to be a follower or a leader, it is all dependent on the situation. Certain situations it would make sense to be the leader (if you have more experience, etc.) and other situations it would make more sense to be a follower (if a member of your group has more experience, etc.)
If I were to choose a leader I would base it off the most important position in the US, the office of president. In our gender in leadership class we looked at the importance of physical features in a president. Things such as posture, the way they dress, and other things are important in deciding who to vote for. A person that is presented strong and confident always is someone who I see as a leader. Their personality would have to be one that is motivating and engaging. It is more appropriate to base a leader off their personality and strengths rather than their appearance. It should not be a beauty contest in order to be a leader. It should not matter what you look like, yes some people responded different to a particular leader’s appearance but it should not be based on looks it should be based on the leader’s productivity
ReplyDeleteWhen I was a junior on the football team I saw leadership being used in the wrong way. I wanted to say something but I didn’t want to disrupt the harmony of the team. I felt as if I could have taken a leadership position but I did not want to step on anyone’s toe who was a leader at the time. I learned from my experience and it made me a better leader because of it.
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ReplyDeleteLeaders are sometimes picked because of their physical abilities, for example in areas of sports they may look for physical leadership. I can see how physical appears can alter people perceptions of leadership if they view someone as powerful and dominant. This is where something such as dark traits are a benefit.
ReplyDeletePeople are often intimidated by what they know they cannot battle. If someone does not want to challenge the system, such as the law, it is because they don't want to have to fight a battle not worth fighting for. Even though this has been done before for things such as civil rights, not just anyone is going to challenge authority. Their are just times when you have become a follower because you aren't in the positions to challenge all of the power behind the person that is leading you.
I think that it is true that we all start out with visualizing good leaders as attractive white males, but this changes as we grow up. Our experiences in life give us plenty of examples where this is not true and we learn to pay more attention to the persons personality/strengths rather than their physical appearance. We learn to be drawn to leaders that show passion in what they do and work hard for a particular outcome. I have sometimes chosen to be a follower in group activities in order to avoid conflict, I would just conform to the rest of the group in an effort to avoid confrontation or disagreement. Sometimes I don’t feel that is the right decision but it makes the task move along more quickly and smoothly.
ReplyDeleteI do think it is important to recognize your own preference whether you would prefer being a leader or a follower. I think it is natural for someone to choose whether or not they want to be a leader or a follower depending on the situation they are facing. I know there have been many times where I have decided to just follow rather than lead because it was the better route to take in order to avoid conflict. I do think it is something someone can change through life because I know as I have developed into an adult, I have stepped out of my shell to become more of a leader rather than a follower.
ReplyDeleteThere have been a few times I chose to be a follower to avoid conflict, the biggest was when I decided to be a follower when someone else within the group stepped up right away and said they would do a lot. I knew I had a lot going on at the time so I let them take the role as group leader. I think I made the right decision because I was able to focus on my other tasks I needed to get done to avoid stressing myself out.
If I had to choose a leader solely based off a picture I would probably choose the most professional looking person. However, I would definitely not prefer to choose based on appearance. I would expect a leader's personality to be but not limited to more direct, determined, and assertive. I do not think it is appropriate to choose a leader solely off physical traits however, if two candidates both had the exact same personality, I would think it would be appropriate to choose the candidate with a more professional appearance. I believe, in order to fit the role completely, you must act, dress, and look appropriate for the role.
ReplyDeleteI agree with most of the class that there has to be follower. I don't believe you should feel like you made a bad decision to be a follower either. Most of the population will be followers, which is not right or wrong. I have been a follower in many situations, not necessarily to avoid conflict, but because I was not in the position to lead. I have elder managers or seniorities above me who hold the leadership position. I feel as though in that case I did not have a decision to make. In other situations, even though I am not in the management position, I did hold a leadership role based on the ideas and and efforts I've contributed. Honestly, I know I have taken on a follower role in some group projects in the past because I didn't want to take as much responsibility and/or there was another leader in the group willing to take on the role. I do feel like in those situations it is the right decision to sometimes take a step back.