Follow First Lead Second: Leadership is for Everyone

There is the widespread belief that management and leadership are inextricably linked, that every manager is (or should be) a good leader. As a result, management leadership has been elevated to a cause worthy of promotion, and leadership as a term has become a mantra chanted by all and sundry, with numerous voices proclaiming numerous theories, many of which are spoken as facts, particularly by those who are disciples of this management-leadership cause. Examples of their output can be found in any management texts, in texts specializing in engineering management, and, as one might expect, in texts devoted exclusively to the leading cause. Numerous literary fallacies and paradoxes will be examined, and an unusual literary source will be used to illustrate various leadership styles.

The concept of leadership will be applied to engineer positions, and some potentially divisive conclusions will be presented.

Leadership is a critical field because it affects the entire world. In other words, it is a vital management function that enables organizations to achieve maximum efficiency and effectiveness. Numerous individuals inquire why we should pursue this field of study or why this assignment is necessary. Not only is leadership a position, but it is also a process that shapes how people and organizations interact. All nations, business enterprises, educational institutions, and organizations succeed primarily due to effective leadership.