Reluctant Leaders
Remember that old question, “are you a leader, or a follower?” If you’re reading this, you are probably both. You probably have your own blog and follow many others. So what happens when we switch out of our natural roles as leaders or followers? In the vast blogosphere, there is plenty of room for both. You just have to take turns and maintain balance. When you are posting to your own blog, you are a leader and have responsibilities to your followers. When you are responding to another blogger, let them take the lead.
Some bloggers are obviously “reluctant leaders.” They never intended to garner a following. They simply need to get things off their chests. When you come across these bloggers, be gentle. Don’t criticize their lack of focus or direction, support their efforts. For all you know, they may blossom as they explore the medium and recognize its potential.
September 1st, 2007 at 12:27 am
Hi Jen
With the chocolate challenge over I am making time to work through all the marvelous comments that readers have put on my blog over the last few days. Still tired from traveling.
Still getting down the page to the part about Ning but I have to ask the question as you read my blog. Not sure if I want to hear the answer :). Am I a leader or a reluctant leader? Slowly finding my voice - but your post has made me think. Thanks!
Sue
September 1st, 2007 at 3:18 pm
I haven’t spent enough time on your site to make that determination. I would identify a reluctant leader as one who exhibit some (not all) of the following characteristics:
1. Ignores or deletes comments of readers.
2. Makes a lot of negative, cynical, or condescending posts.
3. Uses the entire blog to criticize other blogs.
4. Blogs because they are required to do so and makes certain to point that out to readers
5. Blogs for the sole purpose of making money, without any original content