Do you agree or disagree with the following statement? It is better to be a member of a group than to be the leader of a group.
Use specific reasons and examples to support your answer.
A group of individuals is stronger than a single leader, because a group has the ability to work together towards a common goal more effectively than a single leader can.
A group of individuals is stronger as a whole than the sum of its parts, because a group possesses the strength of shared purpose.
The first statement, ‘It is better to be a member of a group than to be the leader of a group’, suggests that being in a group is better than being the leader of a group. This assertion is flawed for several reasons.
One of the greatest weaknesses of this statement is that it assumes that a group is a monolithic entity. In reality, groups are very diverse. There may be a variety of opinions or beliefs within a group and there may be many different leadership styles among its members. Group members may sometimes have conflicting goals. A small group of employees may have very different ideas about the best way to accomplish their tasks than a large corporation with many different divisions. Sometimes, a large group may function more effectively than a single leader. When employees are united in a common purpose, they can work together more cohesively. The members of a large group may each have a different perspective and ideas about the best way to achieve that purpose, but their collective efforts may be more productive than if everyone were working separately.
The second reason being said that a group is stronger than a single leader is that a group enables its members to pool their resources. In large corporations, there are often a great many employees who work in different departments. These employees may share certain resources, such as office supplies, computers, or equipment. However, if each department were working independently, each of these employees would have to purchase his or her own supplies and equipment. This expense might be prohibitive, especially if the resources were expensive. By working together, the group can minimize the cost of acquiring these resources and, in turn, can save the company money.
Similarly, a group can better coordinate its efforts. If several employees are working on a project, they may need to share information with one another. If each team member were working independently, he or she would have to make a separate trip to a central location to retrieve information. With modern technology, though, information can be shared quickly and easily. By working together, employees can conduct research online, use file sharing programs, and coordinate with each other by communicating by phone, email, or instant messaging.
The last reason being said that a group is stronger than a single leader is that a group is able to experience a greater degree of diversity. A group is made up of people with different backgrounds and life experiences. A leader, by contrast, is an individual who is likely to have been born into a similar social, cultural, economic, and educational background. A leader is, in a way, less diverse than group members. As a result, a leadership group may be less able to adapt to changing circumstances. If the company’s main customers are dissatisfied with the product, for example, the leadership group may not know how to respond to the complaints. By contrast, the members of a group may, since they have more varied experiences, have a better sense of how the company can improve its product.
This does not mean that a group is superior to a leader. A leader, after all, still has a great deal of knowledge that he can use to make the company more productive. However, a leader does possess certain qualities that make his group stronger. A leader is likely to possess a greater knowledge of how the business operates. In addition, leaders are able to instill trust and respect within his group. If a group is working under a leader, its members will be more willing to openly share ideas and concerns. If a leader is unable or unwilling to communicate with the members of his team, then members of the group are less willing to share their opinions. When members of a group are working well as a team, the group as a whole is stronger.