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Some people believe that the only way to succeed in corporate life is to manage other people. We are primed to believe that being the boss is the ultimate way to advance. But the fact is that many people would rather be followers than leaders.
These people may have joined your company because they like what you are doing, not because they want to climb to the top of the pyramid. Some may have discovered that they can lead without formally managing anyone. There are ample examples of brilliant leaders who walked away from the corporate pyramid.
One who walked away was Thomas Edison. He saw the need to create a corporation to generate and distribute electricity, and he stayed with the General Electric project long enough to see it prosper. Then Edison admitted that he hated corporate life and returned to the laboratory.
As you consider your direct reports, can you identify those who want to be leaders, and those who would prefer to be followers? Failing to make this distinction could cause substantial tension when followers are pushed to be leaders against their will.
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