Me?

Do you see yourself as a leader?

In a word , no.

I do not see myself as a leader. I’m maybe a middle of the pack personality.

I grew up in a world where leaders were what you were supposed to want to be. Even now Instagram ads are wanting me to sign up to learn to coach. Honestly I have no desire to coach or lead anyone anywhere. I think I was taught that only leaders are successful, so of course I had to be a leader.

Its not my personality.

I watched an animal program recently that explained how there are three types of dogs in a pack. There are front of the pack lead animals, middle of the pack and back of the pack animals It showed how each has an important role to play. I identified with the middle group. They were the less serious, happy to be there, more apt to be playful group. I’d rather be that. In the dog world these are the dogs that get along well with others and aren’t fearful or ready to fight or challenge or be challenged.

My son had a dog like this once. His name was Stone. One time I saw him nose to nose with a skunk. He wagged his tail, he didn’t invade its space, he did not get sprayed. He was a very smart, easy going black lab who loved to play ball. If a smaller dog took his ball, he just let it. He seemed to understand that if he waited, his ball would come back to him and of course it did. Stone embodied calm confidence, but he wasn’t a leader.

I like that we are all different. I like that no one has to try to be someone they aren’t. I like admiring leaders while living out my own role. I like knowing that my contribution is every bit as important as every one else’s. Leaders change things up and get people to go in new directions. Leaders make history and become famous. They shoulder responsibility and stand out in front. I love reading about the lives of historic leaders. I am inspired by so many, but at the same time, I’m glad to be helping out, the best I can, in the neighborhood.