Is Mike The Leader Of The Dirty Pack?

May 06, 2008

Mike, Follow The Leader...

QUESTION:

Do you tend to be a leader or a follower?  It depends on the situation for me, sometimes I follow and sometimes I lead.

sanfrangirl74

ANSWER:

Sometimes, it feels as though I'm leading, then I look over my shoulder, and no one is there.  So, if I am first, in a line of one, am I leading or merely lost?  Or am I just alone?

Or, I might look up and see people in front of me, going in the same direction.  Am I then a fellow traveler, or a follower?  Or maybe a stalker?

Leadership I think is a state of mind.  I find that people who know precisely where they want to go often see themselves as leaders.  But aren't those people following something too?  A "plan", a "dream", a "belief", a "passion?"

We have elevated the term "leadership" to the point where its qualities have become automatically postive and noble.  Such platitudes are worthy of a suspicion.  Mao, Hitler, Stalin, Jim Jones - they were all leaders, to the woe of those that followed.  The willingness to lead and the desire to control are impossible to differentiate.  Only the leader can say what drives his actions.  History will sort out the rest.  (As told by the winners, naturally.)

Likewise, the willingness to follow is also a choice, and does not preclude the ability to lead.  In fact, I think the best leaders are those who are happy to follow, but step up when circumstances demand.  The courage to lead is admirable - the ambition to lead is not.  Perhaps, I'm less interested in where a candidate stands on every issue, than I am in understanding why they want the job.  I see difference in the courage to lead fairly, and the decision to follow wisely.

Sometimes I wonder if it takes more courage to lead or follow.  (Ever ride shotgun with a bad driver?)

Mike

Comments

[STEAK]

Hey Mike. My friends and I were viewing some of your earlier work and were wondering if QVC still sells Katsak's?

[blinkfan1us]

Mike i have been watching Dirty Jobs from the start and now i have been seeing more of a trend of you wearing alot of hats. And from the looks of it too me your not going (and im going to say it) bald so if you would clear things up for me that would be great. Because thats been on my mind for a very long time thanks again love the show.

blink

[Renee]

Yo Mike,
I have been trying to log into dirty jobs in order to post an idea for a dirty job. Of course it isn't as simple as you say during every show. (Forget the fact that my computer skills are limited!) You say go to Discovery.com/dirtyjobs--correct? How come I can't find a listing for posting dirty job idea's? Will see if you respond to this. Then will see if I can find this page again in order to obtain dirty job idea format. Thanks

[noah age 9]

Hi mike my stepfather is a relly big fan and it would make him relly happy well his whole family happy if you would hope to be very dirty.

[Heather]

Hello Mike,
you are such a hoot and always make me laugh but I know there is more to you than great lines and a cute little tooshie.... I don't ever see anything about you being married or children. I can imagine you work tons on the road but you can't do everything for the job. What kind of hobbies do you have besides working? Give us the scoop on ya... oh and also .. when you were a child what did you want to be when you grew up? I believe it would be fun if you inserted a photo of you as a child in here too! Call mama for one. Anywho, thanks for the visual eye candy and being so dang charming... what else can ya ask for???!!
take care,
Heather

[Heather]

Hello Mike,
you are such a hoot and always make me laugh but I know there is more to you than great lines and a cute little tooshie.... I don't ever see anything about you being married or children. I can imagine you work tons on the road but you can't do everything for the job. What kind of hobbies do you have besides working? Give us the scoop on ya... oh and also .. when you were a child what did you want to be when you grew up? I believe it would be fun if you inserted a photo of you as a child in here too! Call mama for one. Anywho, thanks for the visual eye candy and being so dang charming... what else can ya ask for???!!
take care,
Heather

[Cassie]

Wow, Mike. I am always truly impressed with how eloquent and stately your posts are. I can't imagine that you would ever read this, what with the thousands upon thousands of other more intersting posts throughout the website, but I genuinely wanted to relate to you that even though I am merely a 22 year old chick I have read a lot in my short days and I find you to be one of the most intellectually arousing people I have ever had the pleasure of hearing.