I used to work as a consultant on computer systems projects for government agencies.  We organized ourselves into teams, consultants and government team members working side by side.  All reporting to an overall project manager who sat in the “big chair.”  The buck stopped there.  This unfortunate soul reported to the project partner who had overall financial responsibility, the “money man.”

I filled all these roles throughout my career, always knowing what was expected.  In my early years I knew how to follow, speaking up when circumstances required.  In my later years, I knew how to lead, following a methodology, organizing work into manageable tasks, doing what was best for the project.

Today I’m faced with a different situation as a citizen, feeling powerless to make a positive contribution.  I’m not in a position to lead.  I’m not interested in following.  I may need to get out of the way.