LooseSuits

Never follow anyone. We're all walking around in the dark. Be your own leader. At least that way when you step off a cliff you'll only have yourself to blame!

Could you follow a boss/manager/leader who had ideas that you just didn't believe in?

No. Unlike Andrew, I believe that you must follow for a time (for he who cannot follow, cannot lead). However, if I feel that the direction someone going in is not a good one, I'll probably not follow them. This, of course, steps into the idea of faith. It may well be that I think something is a bad idea, but the person who I'm following -- who also has a very good record in whatever I'm being led to, who has good fruit on the tree, and whom I have built up confidence in -- thinks its a good idea. In that case, I'll put my own desires aside and I'll follow that person. I won't do it unquestioningly, however. And, of course, if things get too bad I can always bail out (well, most of the time) if it becomes obvious the leader is going in a bad direction and is not doing anything to get to a better place/direction.

In the end it comes down to faith and knowledge: what faith do you have in the person leading and what knowledge can you apply to where you're going. You don't need 100% of the facts to move on, but you need to understand what you're getting yourself into. Of course, sometimes all you can rely on is faith.

The advantage of positional leadership is that it buys you a chance to prove your worth as an actual leader. However, loyalty easily given is also easily taken away. Earned loyalty, however, lasts through various screw ups.

I couldn't, but that also depends on what the rest of the team thinks who are also under this leader. I had a job awhile back, where no one really believed in the direction that the department was going, and the opinions voiced were kind of thrown away. That is one of the reasons why I left that job.

Leaders are leaders for a reason, however, I think it's also important for the leaders to listen to the people that are under them. I wouldn't want to be a leader of a team of people that didn't trust me.

Depending on the situation, sometimes you have no choice but to follow. Thats not to say that you can't speak your mind about your feelings. Why do you ask Scrivs?

I do think it is different if absolutely no one believes in the leaders versus just you. Kind of like all your friends telling you that the girl isn't good versus just one.

I think a person should speak their thoughts, but, then, they might not have a boss who likes to hear others speaking their mind, and might not look to kindly on it, as far as the person's job stability is concerned.

Yes, yes, it is easy to say, speak your mind, no matter what, and it is easy to say leave if you are not happy. But, in reality, those who are supporting, not only themselves, but a family, can't just pick up and leave a job that easily. Responsibilities often demand that one stay where they are, even if they are unhappy on the job, due to finances (family, basic necessities, car payments, loans, mortgage, schooling, credit cards, etc.).

If you have children, you are not about to see them go hungry, or be without a roof over their heads, just in order to speak your mind, or even leave the job, because you disagree with management. People often need to stay put, until they find another job, to replace the one they are in...and not just leave without having that job security ahead of them.

For a lot of people, they stay at a job, unhappily, out of financial need. What is good for one, isn't always good for another.

Now, if a boss is unethical, and asking you to follow suit, that is different, as your involvement could come back to lead to repercussions for you. And, unfortunately, even in that type of a situation, some people don't leave without job security ahead, due to finances.

I've been following a leader I don't trust for around 6 months.

I'm surprised the words "Only out of morbid curiosity" haven't yet been sited as reasons to follow someone.

I feel obliged to point out that you meant 'cited' there.

Sorry. I'm a spelling freak and I can't control myself sometimes.

I actually left my last job becausse of the boss. I would have always prior to this answered no to this question. I was fairly forgiving as an employee and just got on with it, I sort of felt it was those above me's thing not mine. However, the last job turned that on it's head. I was a manager and the boss was a promise everything and give nothing - I went from freelance to work for him on so many promises I should have known better.

As could have been predicted his true colours showed. I tried to put it down to so many things and did my best to 'get on with it'. There comes a time when even the most passive of employess has enough though. I was a well and truly turning worm. The turning took longer as I was still trying to 'make it work' for far too long than I should have.

In the end I didn't even have a choice my brain turned off and it all went to the surface during anotther of his stupid moments and I told him I was giving my notice. As I told him I was telling myself as yes wanted to and yes planned to at some point but not then. It all worked out and his reaction to my handing notice was one that just showed me he was right. I got shouting, desk thumping and a few weeks of more stupidity that only resulted in me walking out of a job for the first time in my entire career. Believe me it takes a lot to do that to me and now I know how much it really does take.

I was one of those that would sit back, think of the family - well I've got a husband and dogs so it's sort of a family, think of the bills and think of the end of the day and 'get through'. I've put up with varying degrees of 'bad bosses' and this was the only one that made me sit up and realise things.

Yes, I was lucky I can and did go back to freelance. Others aren't so lucky. Everyone does have their limits though. I do now feel once bitten and I am in the position where I would be very very careful before going back to work for someone else again - not sure I could even do it again (of course would if had to and clients sort of are like bosses in a short term way). It taught me a lesson though and for that it was almost worth going through.

I think the question is too broad. I've been in situations at work where I didn't agree with the direction, I voiced my opinions, was over ruled and then moved on. You have to decide what the impact is.

If the overall mission wasn't in the best interest of the company or in my best interest, I'd have to consider other alternatives. Especially if I wasn't satisfied in the job.

With my current job, I can't say I've agreed with every change or course adjustment, but I love my coworkers, the job and the opportunities it's afforded me.

It's also about how that trust is. Trust is a beast that fluxes between sometimes, although once fully gone it's hard to get back - some can though. Everyone has their limits and it's a real personal one where yours are, you may like I had not even know them until you are in that situation.

If you don't trust your boss, or his decisions, you need to start facilitating change in the organization and it's processes

I don't follow anyone I don't trust. There is no exception to that rule. LorriM brought up a good point about financially being stuck in a situation. If I were in that situation it would be a full-time job for me getting away from the current one.

Like karmatosed, I do not want a boss. I am a CEO myself, that would be going backwards. I will partner with people but when I partner, that means I have ownership. Ergo, no boss. To me partner=equals and I am very clear on this going in. If I find the situation somehow changed, I don't care how great the person is at leading. I don't "do" bosses as a business owner. Boss means control over. I expect as a partner to have equal say in all major decisions concerning the business I have ownership in. I may not always agree, I know when to compromise. When I stop getting the respect I deserve as a business partner, and I end up getting a boss, it's time to move on....

Being a leader doesn't mean being a boss but most leaders let the power go to their heads and become the boss in inappropriate situations. In corporate situations I used to bump into bosses doing things because they wanted to, whether it was best for the company or the employees of the company. That's selfish and it's sad it happens but some people trip on power.

Don't worry, Scrivs. We all trust you ;)

My end goal is to lead a company one day, so I would have no problem in following. To become a better leader, one must learn how to follow.

I have no problem bringing up issues and just talking to someone about them. That is, unless its a bad move politically.

Generally speaking, I can trust someone that I know is wrong and talk to them about it (thus building more trust). At the same time, if someone is right (and I know that they are) then I can't not trust them. There are different sources of trust (and power) so, by definition, I won't follow someone I don't trust.

Like Phil said, people who lead lead for a reason.

I think you frame the situation too tightly here Paul. Just because you might be in a "follower" role, doesn't necessarily mean you can't influence direction or vision. In fact, I think the true leaders seek out people who will influence them toward betterment by questioning things in a respectful manner.

Making it known how "stupid" something is demeaning. Sitting around like a wallflower with your mouth shut is just as useless.

Trust is a major part of any team effort. If you ain't got that, then you just need to remove yourself from the situation.

In my younger years I had a tendency to put up with much less than I do now. With a family to support and being the sole bread winner I tend to find myself becoming quite patient with people who have an over exaggerated sense of self and who are in a leadership position.

I am the Head Lemming... get in line now~! :)