[jasonm]

Whether we try to be a leader or not, sometimes leadership qualities are just engrained in us - we can't help but influence people and leave lasting impressions on them; and we often can't help plowing ahead in our own directions, leading the way as we go.

Among the many NFs here at Personality Cafe, I'm curious whether certain types tend to be the leader-types more often than others.

I'm an INFP and have often been in leader roles in one form or another throughout my life.

So whether behind the curtains or on the stage, do you find that you're a natural leader?

 

[Coco]

I hate leading, however people seem to think that I love to and give me the leadership role.
No clue why.
Anyone else has that very very annoying problem? o.o

 

[rowingineden]

I tend to take leadership roles, whether they are direct or indirect. If no one else steps up, I will take a direct leadership role, which I do well at, because I can quickly recognize people's strengths and weaknesses and who will work well together and things like that. If someone else steps up, I just keep the group close and harmonious and I sort of make suggestions which are subtle enough that people remember them as their own ideas, which is fine by me. I typically want to have a voice in the group, but I don't want to draw attention to myself or anything like that.

 

[Vaka]

I prefer the leadership role. I think that I'm very good at laying out plans for things that need to be done and at knowing how best to get certain goals met. I'm good at directing people and telling them where their place is and what they need to do. I'm good at thinking on my feet and finding ways to get past things. I don't think that I've taken the leader role as much as I would like, but I know that I'm a naturally good leader.

 

[Primequis]

Leadership has always been the position for me, though I've no problems at all stepping back into a more subordient role if I feel someone better for the position then I or I am not fit to be in the role for the subject. Still, I feel that the many qualities that one should have as a leader I have. I'm absolutely confident in my ability to command!

 

[whisperycat]

I find it difficult, to the point of near impossibility, to delegate stuff to other people, especially when I feel that it's me who is carrying the the responsibility for getting the task (whatever it is), done. I don't want the responsibility of being a "leader", the actions of others are too un-predictable for my liking, the notion that "If you want somethig doing properly, do it yourself" rings very true to me.

I don't want to be a leader and I don't want to be led. I just want to be able to get on with things in my own way. I've realised that being too rigid over refusing to delegate (or accept help) can be a bad thing, so I've been trying to learn techniques for knowing when to lead others in a joint effort and when to go it alone. It is difficult.

 

[RunningStill]

I like taking the leadership role only because I dislike taking orders more. :tongue: Nah, just playing, but more often than not I wind up with the leadership role.

When I do take the leadership role, it's more of a "silent" type of leadership. I tend to lead by example instead of giving orders to others. I also care a lot about the relationships between my group members. So I'm definitely not a dominating presence in the group, and I like it that way.

 

[The Great One]

Whether we try to be a leader or not, sometimes leadership qualities are just engrained in us - we can't help but influence people and leave lasting impressions on them; and we often can't help plowing ahead in our own directions, leading the way as we go.

Among the many NFs here at Personality Cafe, I'm curious whether certain types tend to be the leader-types more often than others.

I'm an INFP and have often been in leader roles in one form or another throughout my life.

So whether behind the curtains or on the stage, do you find that you're a natural leader?

Yes, I'm a very good leader.....Now if I could just learn to stay with a schedule and become more self-disciplined, then maybe I could be a great leader.

 

[sarek]

I have never pictured myself as a leadership figure.Much rather a councillor or healer type. But now that I think about it I find there are numerous situation in which my ability to analyse and oversee a situation has led people to follow my lead.

 

[cardinalfire]

Whether we try to be a leader or not, sometimes leadership qualities are just engrained in us - we can't help but influence people and leave lasting impressions on them; and we often can't help plowing ahead in our own directions, leading the way as we go.

Among the many NFs here at Personality Cafe, I'm curious whether certain types tend to be the leader-types more often than others.

I'm an INFP and have often been in leader roles in one form or another throughout my life.

So whether behind the curtains or on the stage, do you find that you're a natural leader?

HELL YEAH!

Don't mean to blow my own horn so to speak, and I do kick butt at being a leader. Ever since I was young I've been fascinated with the idea, and I don't believe people have deep DEEP admiration for things like that without themselves having the potential for it.

Everyone can be a leader, the key is to first be a leader of yourself. If someone doesn't 'know thyself' as the phrase goes then they are yet to be a leader, doesn't mean that they won't eventually it just means that. Someone has to be secure, have boundaries, fearless, and be of strong character. As well as being able to spot the strengths and weaknesses of others. Also treating people AS people, rather than the traditional managerial route of treating people AS things to be controlled, which we aren't.

I always leave an impression on people, always. As a guy at work said to me recently when he found out I was leaving 'you can't leave James, you... you... you make this job'. It's because I don't attempt to control any other member of staff, I just relate to them, do what is in my responsibility to do and act morally and ethically right, with the courage to say NO to things I disagree with and then stand firm on my choices and NEVER EVER compromise. The moment that happens, then everyone, including those who like me, lose respect for me.

Funny you mention this because I have been reading this John Adair - Leadership & Management from John Adair, he and Stephen Covey are the best writers on this topic I have seen.

Not to mention the Marvel Civil War comic in which Captain America rocks at being a leader, much better than Iron Man.

 

[cardinalfire]

I find it difficult, to the point of near impossibility, to delegate stuff to other people, especially when I feel that it's me who is carrying the the responsibility for getting the task (whatever it is), done. I don't want the responsibility of being a "leader", the actions of others are too un-predictable for my liking, the notion that "If you want somethig doing properly, do it yourself" rings very true to me.

I don't want to be a leader and I don't want to be led. I just want to be able to get on with things in my own way. I've realised that being too rigid over refusing to delegate (or accept help) can be a bad thing, so I've been trying to learn techniques for knowing when to lead others in a joint effort and when to go it alone. It is difficult.

Being a leader doesn't begin when you lead others, it begins when you lead yourself. Anybody that says they don't have the potential to lead or don't want to, are effectively saying 'I don't want to be at the steering wheel of my own life', because that's where you have to be before you can even begin to lead others.

As Locke says to Jack in Lost (whose name happens to be Jack SHEPARD - which is funny because he leads 'the flock') : A leader can't lead unless he knows where he is going.

The responsibility of being a leader, only lies at you, it stops and starts there. You control you, and nothing else in this world. That is how leaders manage to have followers, not because people are their responsibility, but because they know that everyone has freewill, the followers CHOOSE to follow the leader, which means, you guessed it. It's their responsibility, it's also their choice to walk away at any time. Part of the cringe worthy moments from Jack in Lost is when he attempts to control others and deny them that freedom causing every viewer to think 'what the hell is Jack playing at?'. lol.

Being able to get on with things your own way, is the act of leading. However you will find it a very lonesome and short path if you choose to do what others mean by 'going their own way', which usually means 'every dog for himself', a very unethical, lack of integrity approach to life, which completely ruins the trust you have in yourself and the trust others will have in you.

If you are serious about getting better at leadership for any reason, read Stephen Covey.

 

[cardinalfire]

When I do take the leadership role, it's more of a "silent" type of leadership. I tend to lead by example instead of giving orders to others. I also care a lot about the relationships between my group members. So I'm definitely not a dominating presence in the group, and I like it that way.

That is leadership. Controlling is what managers do, and the two are often confused. Managers are meant to control things, and more often than not they end up trying to control people, for some reason the whole thing has gotten twisted somewhere.

Leadership is done by example, is caring about relationships between the group members and is certainly about not dominating others.

In fact 'silent' leadership, is the only kind of leadership, there has and ever will be. Notice all the leaders who have had followers had them because they gave them the choice to follow, they didn't command or force others to follow them.

Sounds like you got leadership down to a tee.

Your name isn't a reference to that U2 song 'running to stand still' by any chance? That is a fantastic song.

 

[RunningStill]

That is leadership. Controlling is what managers do, and the two are often confused. Managers are meant to control things, and more often than not they end up trying to control people, for some reason the whole thing has gotten twisted somewhere.

Leadership is done by example, is caring about relationships between the group members and is certainly about not dominating others.

In fact 'silent' leadership, is the only kind of leadership, there has and ever will be. Notice all the leaders who have had followers had them because they gave them the choice to follow, they didn't command or force others to follow them.

Sounds like you got leadership down to a tee.

Your name isn't a reference to that U2 song 'running to stand still' by any chance? That is a fantastic song.

Thanks, atleast I have something in life down to a tee. :tongue: But you seem to really know your leadership, that's for sure!

And I consider "Running to Stand Still" to be in the top 10 of U2 songs. I used to be really into U2, and that song definitely crossed my mind while choosing a username, so nice job catching that!

 

[Mutatio NOmenis]

I always thought of NF"s like guidance counselors. You don't see them ever tell someone what to do, but they determine your course to be the best possible one.

 

[Vaka]

^^^ Gaaaaaay. I wanna hand someone's ass to them

 

[Nasmoe]

I general I think that NFs are great at leading. I personally think I may be a good leader in assuring others.

 

[Mutatio NOmenis]

^ But could you be ruthless and effective in a crisis when everything is going to hell?

 

[Vaka]

Yes, Fi+Te= will + power.

 

[Nasmoe]

^ But could you be ruthless and effective in a crisis when everything is going to hell?

Depending on how aggressive I am feeling in that situation, hell yea.

 

[Mutatio NOmenis]

Could you sacrifice children to save the families? Could you destroy lives to save the herd?