There’s nothing I hate more than a group or organization that is disorganized or poorly led.  When faced with these types of groups I am compelled by some internal desire to step in and whip the group into shape.  I have done this time and time again, filling gaps in leadership when the need arises.  In variably I jump into these roles, do them for a few years, find someone willing to take over, and then leave and watch the group mire itself back into oblivion.

Yet, despite my compulsion to lead, I really have little desire to do it in a work role.  Maybe I fear the responsibility of work leadership?  On some level I know that in order to take on such a role I’d be sacrificing the parts of the job I love most and I really have little desire to do that.  Also there are far too many people I know that have moved into leadership roles only to find themselves forever stuck in the land of middle management suck.

However, lately in my work I have begun to feel that I it is inevitable I move upward into leadership roles, despite my lack of interest in it.  Oh sure, I can probably fight to stay where I am and be a code jockey forever, and I think I will be perfectly happy to do that.  Yet, sooner or later, I am going to be faced with an absence of leadership (or more than likely quality leadership) that will overcome my blase work leadership feelings.

The question is then, what do I do then?  Do I give in and take leadership as I have always done outside of my work life?  Or do I fight it tooth and nail to maintain my little place of professional nirvana?