To Lead or to Follow: The Compass Within

To Lead or to Follow: The Compass Within

Leadership is not always about standing at the front, nor is following always about trailing behind. Both roles demand strength, vision, and discernment. In the orchestra of life, some wield the baton, while others play the notes that give symphonies their soul. So, am I a leader or a follower? I would say—I am both, and neither, depending on the moment and the mission.

The Measure of a Leader

True leadership is not conferred by title or authority but by the power to inspire, to act with conviction, and to bear responsibility without flinching. My life’s journey—shaped by challenges, shaped by learning, shaped by the sheer will to stand when it would have been easier to sit—has given me opportunities to lead. As a teacher, mentor, and Principal, I have had the privilege to influence, to mould, and to show the path. I have spoken in assembly halls with gravitas and held the hand of a trembling child with quiet assurance. Leadership, I have learned, is a lonely hill sometimes, where applause is faint but the echo of one’s conscience is loud.

But I also know that no leader stands alone. Behind every wise decision lies a thousand small learnings—many drawn from quietly following the wise, the experienced, the humble. A leader must first be a good follower—of truth, of principles, of collective good.

The Grace in Following

The word “follower” often bears an undeserved stigma, especially in an age that glorifies visibility. But following is an art. It requires humility, discipline, and clarity of purpose. To follow a cause, a conscience, or a community with sincerity and integrity is as noble as leading a charge.

I have followed the teachings of ancient scriptures, the philosophy of the wise, the science of reason, and the voices of those who dared to walk paths I hadn’t yet imagined. Following has helped me grow roots before I reached for the sky.

The Balance of Being

Life is not a linear journey from follower to leader; it’s a circular dance of roles. One must know when to hold the torch and when to light someone else’s path. The greatest leaders I have known were also great listeners. They could kneel to lift, pause to ponder, and walk behind to push someone forward.

To use an idiom, “A wise man changes his mind, a fool never.” In knowing when to lead and when to follow, I find not contradiction, but complementarity.

Drawing from Philosophy

Indian scriptures teach of dharma—righteous duty—not just to act, but to act rightly, whether by taking the reins or by lending strength from behind the scenes. The Bhagavad Gita doesn’t just show Krishna leading Arjuna, but also standing as a charioteer, guiding from the shadows. What a splendid metaphor for life’s dual roles.

Greek philosophers, too, pondered the concept of the phronimos—a practically wise person who knows the right thing to do in the right manner at the right time. Sometimes, that means taking charge; sometimes, stepping back.

The Compass Within

So, am I a leader or a follower? I would say I am a compass-bearer, guided not by position but by purpose. I lead when duty calls me to speak, to act, to uplift. I follow when wisdom lies in stillness, silence, and support. The joy lies not in being one or the other, but in knowing which role the moment asks of me.

Because in the grand scheme of things, leadership is not a throne to occupy, and following is not a shadow to hide in. Both are paths of dignity, if walked with truth.

And in the end, whether you lead or follow, walk with grace—because someone, somewhere, is watching your footsteps.