In the immortal words of Eric B. & Rakim in the song Follow the Leader, “I can get illin’ at normal killin’.” Hm, maybe that’s not the right song nor the right quote. I might be confusing it with Follow Me Not. Yes, it was Dream Warriors who wisely said, “Who is more fool, who is more fool; The fool or the fool who follows the fool?”

Basically, my philosophy is “neither a follower nor a leader be.” I have no idea who originally said that. I believe it might have been Yoda since the verb is hanging out at the wrong end of the sentence. Yoda liked talking that way. “Away put your weapon, neither a follower nor a leader be.” Sounds about right. Or I could have just made up that phrase, and in actuality, I’m confusing it with “neither a borrower nor a lender be.” from Hamlet… nah, that couldn’t be it.

From Eric B. to Yoda to Shakespeare in only two paragraphs. Anyway, I’m way off topic, which is “Do you prefer to lead or follow? Or linger in the middle and never fully commit to anything?” from The Daily Post.

I choose none of the above. I have recently come to understand that my leadership qualities are not what one would call good. I have been a graphic designer for many moons. I have been an art director for about six months now and I don’t really like it. I have a subordinate and I’m in charge. I don’t mind being in charge of the work; it’s being in charge of people that I don’t like, mostly because I don’t like people, which is part of the reason I became a graphic designer in the first place. I’m not a very good leader; I don’t like telling people what to do and being responsible for them. I would make an excellent leader if I had no subordinates, but I suppose that defeats the purpose.

I’m not a great leader, but I really don’t enjoy being told what to do. I’m not a good follower since most people who expect me to follow them aren’t worthy. If you really want my attention and trust, you have to prove yourself capable of leading. Just telling me “do it because I said so” is not good enough. After enough of that, I will rebel and not care. I might even mutiny.

I’m not a good leader nor am I a good follower, but I don’t laze about “in the middle and never fully commit to anything” either. If I find something worthwhile, I will fully commit. If a leader proves to me that they know what they are doing, I will follow. If the person in charge proves that they haven’t a clue, I will step up and lead. It all depends on the situation.

Realistically, I am best at being second in command. I would prefer someone else to take the spotlight and act as the figurehead. I am a better puppet master. I am not a leader nor a follower, but I can be both or neither. I am a puzzle wrapped in an enigma surrounded by mystery. So there.