The Deficiency of Followers

It is a truth commonly acknowledged that leaders are often the best sort of people, possessing admirable traits of which are instrumental in governing the masses toward the greater good whether that “greater good” be politics, religion, or financial worth. In an effort to preserve the well being of the “greater good” there has been a continual push for exemplary leadership in all facets of society. Children especially are the recipients of such a movement. They are taught from a young age by their teachers and parents not only how to be a leader but also taught how to idolize those leaders in an effort that they will become like them. These teachings are then day by day carried into adulthood where the child cannot shake the feeling that in order to be useful to a community they must take on the leadership role. Children are, after all, the “leaders of the future”. As years progress there is an increasingly competitive nature existing in America’s social circles undermining the very premise leadership was founded upon, being the edification of the masses.

Indeed leadership is being hailed as a god-like attribute, one which creates an admirable human being in society. Leadership can give one purpose in a life filled with doubt and uncertainty and low self worth. Humans possess an intrinsic desire to be needed, to feel as if they have a destiny to help others, or even perhaps a need to be recognized for their achievements. Clearly, having a leadership position is an antidote to this dilemma. People in leadership positions often feel as though they found their purpose in life. Note especially that in this scenario that the individual takes on the mantle of leadership for themselves and not others. Such an act is selfish in nature, leadership should not be for the benefit of oneself, instead society must begin to understand that true leadership is a responsibility and a burden, not a competitive game.

However, society, in a desperate attempt to give meaning to life continues to manufacture leadership machines. For example, it is no longer acceptable to be simply a student with a near perfect GPA, instead colleges are looking for excellent GPA and ACT scores, work experience, and high involvement, especially in leadership positions. With every passing day, Americans become more competitive, each so engaged in their own selfish lives to think about those they may be trampling on in the process, each falling victim to the disease of ruthless competition, a contagious virus which spreads faster than the plague of 1348, with perhaps the most detrimental consequence being: people start to hate themselves. Herein lies the self hate suppressant, the drug which only helps temporally alleviates the disease of competition, leadership. People have been taught that in order to be the best, to be admired, and to be happy they need to be a leader. Yet, the outcomes for those taught this way are both unfortunate, they either fail in the leadership endeavor and become swallowed up in this failure, or achieve the leadership goal they hoped for only to discover that it cannot bring them happiness. True leaders are not machines bred for the simple desire to achieve for their own well being, but rather those who are brave enough to sacrifice themselves for the benefit of others.

There is, in this country, a deficiency of followers. Followers are the foundation of this country, the very beating heart of the values and intrinsic rights of humanity. Frequently, individuals are taught that followers are simply those who blindly do at they are told, people who lack thoughts and ideas. Such a notion is severely misguided. The word "follower" is thought to be derived from the compound of "full-gan" meaning with a sense of "full-going". Indeed the archaic meaning still holds true today. Followers are individuals who have are "full-going", going forth into the world to find make of it what they can. They are those trying to make decisions without falling prey to the dangerous disease of ruthless competition. They are those who sincerely try to seek out the good in others. They are those who are helped by a leader, but not ruled by one. America needs more followers; more people who do not want to seek to becomes leaders but become disciples of their own righteous desires. American society must come to accept that fact or face the catastrophic results of a nation with too many selfish, self-hating, failed attempts at leadership and not enough followers to stop the effects from spreading. Undeniably, failing to do so will be in essence destroying the very basis of all humanity, the element which the followers embody: love.