It's true, I hate the idea of being in a position of leadership.

I'm a Leo and I'm supposed to like being top man on the totem pole, but I think being in a position of authority is gross and scary.

The few times I've tried it, I think I did an okay job at it. I considered it a responsibility rather than a privilege, I respected the people "beneath" me, and I didn't let a little bit of status turn me into a total prick. I hope not, anyway. But I was uncomfortable with it, I think because I have my own authority issues and I'm not comfortable with the concept of heirarchies in general.

I've seen a lot of people start out nice, then get promoted into some leadership position and turn into total jerk-asses. I've seen some people who are natural leaders and do brilliantly, without letting it go to their heads.

Mostly, I've seen people who don't have a practical brain cell in their entire swollen heads get leadership positions, and they abuse their authority rather than accept it as a matter of increased responsibility. I think it's because I've had to work under SO many people like this in my life, I'm scared to ever risk becoming one of them.

Which brings me to my questions:

Is a position of leadership/authority something you strive for in life?

If you already have this role, how do you keep yourself in check?

Be concise. Provide examples. Keep it brief but informative.

Thank you, that is all.

Anxiety said:

You should totally be one of those people who do the questions in work books and stuff, yanno it??

TotalANXiousNESS said:

i miss workbooks! if i had a kid they'd get a bad grade school education because i'd be doing all their workbook exercises like it was one big mad libs book.

So why are you a mod?

Anxiety said:

We do workbooks all the time at church still. I always hated the paper inthe workbooks in elementary school....that awful thick grayish stuff. YUCK!

To answer your question, I hate being in authority, because, just like I am looked at as insignifigant here, thats how I'm looked at IRL too....and I feel like people are always just EXPECTING and WAITING or me to screw it up.

I think thats nothing the same as your reasons though...

ELASTICFANTASTIC said:

i knew that was coming. if i had my 'druthers, i'd have ben change my title to "news editor". i don't do mod stuff unless it's an extreme emergency (even then i'm hesitant). i have the gavel by my avatar strictly because i like keeping the front news page updated. otherwise, i consider myself a regular ol' orger like anyone else. i did the mod police thing for a while and i didn't like it.

Anxiety said:

ahh, ok.

You don't have to be an authority figure to me Anx. Just call me Pappa.

Imago said:

if you would have read my instructions you would have seen that i asked for examples. but i'm kinda glad you glossed over that part.

Why are you asking these questions?

Did you get a promotion?

TotalANXiousNESS said:

no. i'm just thinking about the future and what i wanna do next.

Leadership takes - authority over ones self BEFORE having authority over another and thus a becomming a good leader by example

right ?

Anxiety said:

three commands in a row. seems like you're doing pretty good mr. leo!

I am the exact opposite. I always aspire to be the leader of any group I'm involved with. I don't know why, it's just always been that way.

maybe because it the nature of the kinds of authority offered me, but i also cannot deal with it.
no way, don't tie me down with that crap. don't pit me against the common man!

it's always had to be pretty much forced upon me, and i am reluctant every step of the way.
i'm supposed to be a "manager" () to my co-workers. i'm the worst at it. i cover for everything wrong they do. i do their work for them when they should. but ya know, we're all in this together to me, and that's my attitude. proletariat. but seriously, i hope that approach to my authority inspires better work from my co-workers. cuz it's like, you know i wouldn't be asking anything from you if i didn't really have to, right? you know i let you play those play those crap crap crap Cake cds all day long, right? heck, i didn't even fire you when you talked ignorant trash about Prince. so you're going to do this, and not get me in touble with the big guy which means WE ALL get in trouble, right? thanks in advance. so if you don't mind, i'm going to have to go ahead and ask you to come in on Saturday, as well. That would be great.

really though, i think i have to really believe in what i'm doing. a more legit cosmic cause kind of a thing, and then i think i would fully embrace authoritative roles.

.
[Edited 7/12/07 10:43am]

Yes, I am in a position of authority. The personality that serves me so badly here serves me well in my profession.

I can be very nice as long as I don't see any incompetence.

Certain times of the month are worse than others , hehehe.

Yanno what, I wanna take my answer back.

I do like to be a leader.

Like, we have VBS at our church this week and I have a grop of 1st through 3rd graders and I have so so so much fun with it.

But I never act like an authority figure with them....mainly like a friend.

And theres these two little boys who are CONSTANTLY gabbing and laughing through the lesson, and I just go sit in between them on the floor and they stop...they feel like I'm trying to hang out with them....not 'punish' them.

But.....thats probably not the kind of thing you were talking about.

I don't like to been in the role of authority. I feel bad telling people what to do.

Now please stop posting and get to work.



No seriously, I have been a manager in several jobs. I find it hard to keep it really professional and not be too friendly. I had an employee that once said "how come one minute you're my friend, and the next you're my boss?"
I find it too hard to be cold and distant to people I see everyday.
That's when I knew i wasn't cut out for that job.

i dislike it. i've been in a situation at a job where as the most experienced after a boss left, i had to be somewhat in charge and it sucked.

HiinEnkelte said:

yeah, but i don't expect anyone on the org to actually pay attention to my attempts at authority.

I'd be fine as long as my leadership is unquestioned. But if it's a battle for leadership, I have no desire to be a part of it.

NDRU said:

i was wondering what happened to you at high noon today!

Anxiety said:

but haven't you noticed that so many of our leaders aren't qualified, they're just assertive?

NDRU said:

that's just it - i think as a culture, we choose leaders based on appearance rather than qualifications, which is gross and scary.
[Edited 7/12/07 11:27am]

Funny that you post this topic. I just interviewed yesterday for a supervisory position and had to explain my 'leadership style'. Basically, I said that I prefer the team approach, and that even if Im the one that people have to report to, we're still equalls. I've always been one to kind of bridge diff. groups of people together, so I think thats what I'll bring to a leadership role. Its not really something that I strive for, but the extra cash will be nice. Real nice. Plus Im looking forward to getting the experience. I

I think if you're a level headed person to begin, a little "authority" could be a great chance to spread some reason and good vibes around, and improve your working environment. My only qualm with the whole thing is the idea of losing a lot of the annonymity that I hold so dear, and possibly not always being able to pack up and go at quittin time.

Ugh, I could NEVER be a manager, it's just not my cup of tea. To be a successful manager, you have to have a certain type of personality, and the ability to lead others and be an inspiration to the people you manage. I don't have that type of personality and I have never been interested in being a manager, quite honestly. Being a manager, to me, would be too much stress and problems. No thanks, I'll take my little measley administrative assistant job any day of the week.

Anxiety said:

and by their willingness to lead, which in many cases is a very bad quality, as it means they have an often unjustified confidence in their own opinions & worth.

I remember reading that Thomas Jefferson became president not because he wanted to but because the people were demanding it.

RodeoSchro said:

I am married to someone like that, "the master"

Anxiety said:

I have no problems with being a figure of authority. Sometimes you've just gotta find your balls and do things people normally dislike doing. That's life.