Working in a team can be a very efficient way to get things done. It provides the opportunity to combine minds and skills and lessen the overall workload on each group member. However, in many circumstances, there needs to be a leader. Being a leader is an important job in more ways than one and it’s also important to have a clear image of the leader’s job.

It’s no secret how many different mental images about leadership are floating around these days. Some people see a good guide, while others see a power-hungry dictator. And it’s true that the leader tends to get a lot of the attention and decision power. Anything that another group member wants to try must be first proposed to the leader.

Unfortunately, these things are what often fuel tensions among group members. You hear about it all the time. A guitarist leaves a rock band because they’re tired of dealing with the lead singer, an assistant can no longer stand their manager, and so on. It’s human nature to want to be in charge of things and go about something our own way. However, there are times when it’s necessary to hand over control to someone else.

People have many different skills and setbacks in life. So naturally, there will come a time when someone else can do the job better than you can. And it can be something that you’re pretty good at yourself. But if the other person can get the job done even better, what argument would you have? That you really want to do it anyway?

I admit I always hated not being in charge growing up. The leader gets the most recognition in many scenarios. I wanted to make it known that I had what it took to bring the team through, and unfortunately it led to some stupid decisions here and there. Even after I started to become aware of the problem, it still took a while to be able to focus on getting the job done right instead of being the boss.

Here’s what really helped me get out of this negative mindset: don’t think of leadership as a status. A leader is not more important or a better person in general just because they’re in charge. Instead, look at leadership as what it is: a job. A leader’s job is to make important decisions on behalf of the group which will hopefully benefit the group in the long run.

Likewise, it’s everyone else’s job to cooperate and follow instructions. As long as everyone does what they’re supposed to do, then at the end of the day, everyone’s done their job.

That’s not saying other members can’t contribute to the decision-making. If anything, that’s what makes a group more successful, a voice from everyone. It just means the leader has the final say.

As much as we may not like it sometimes, there needs to be leadership. The world would be in total chaos if there were no proper authority. You should always feel free to express your ideas, but don’t be too bitter if your ideas need to take a back seat to someone else’s.