Leaders are initiators. Followers are responders. Leaders are willing to step up and take on the task of driving a project.
Followers have to be forced to drive a project by their boss. They wait on someone to give them direction.
Leaders are intuitive, and once they have a general direction for a project, don't have to be told what to do every step of the way.
Followers want direction on a constant basis, so they make sure approval has been given and therefore cover their tracks if something goes wrong.
Leaders push for action, and are not content with simply sitting still.
Followers are content with the project sitting idle, as long as it's not their responsibility or not their fault.
Leaders drive to the finish line.
Followers are pulled across the finish line.
Leaders don't let fear or a strong sense of anxiety paralyze them. They attack fear. Head on. And are willing to lean heavily into the rough waters and push through.
Followers stop when things get rough. Rough waters tend to bring about dissension and cynicism among followers.
Leaders are innovators. They try new things. They are willing to fail, but fail trying.
Followers simply want to maintain the status quo. And very rarely are they willing to risk or try anything new.
Leaders embrace change. They invite change in their own lives and in the context of their leadership because they know change many times is the way we grow and improve.
Followers despise change, and do everything possible to resist it.
Leaders accept responsibility, and are motivated by more things on their plate and under their leadership, vs. less.
Followers avoid responsibility, and would much rather that someone else is "responsible" instead of them.
Leaders despise inaction. It drives leaders crazy to not make progress.
Followers move toward the areas of least resistance, and are comfortable with little or no progress.
Make sure you have a team of leaders who initiate at their core. It's much easier to slow down a racehorse by having to pull back on the reins vs. having to spur and kick and get out the whip in order to move forward.
Are you a leader or a follower? An initiator or responder?