Welcome to WhyPeopleFollow.com

If this is your first time here, thank you. My name is David Thompson, and I built this website to share my opinions on Transformational Leadership versus Top-Down Management. I spent 20 years trying to become the best leader I could be, and the worst manager in the process. My goal with this site is to get managers, young and old, to think about which style may work best for them.

Leadership is not taught in the same way as management. This is clear in the number of books you can find about management, but not leadership. The number of degrees that exist for management, but not leadership. And if I can change one person from striving to be the best possible manager, into proudly becoming the worst by choosing to lead instead, my time creating this site will have been worth it.

Are you the next great leader in your organization?

How do you want to be remembered?
I have worked in several positions, for several managers over the years. Some were pretty good and I can remember a few of their names. Some were absolutely horrible and I definitely remember their names, not fondly. And then there were those who were great leaders and I will never forget them. As a matter of fact, I still reach out to them from time to time because I respect them.

Do you feel Superior?
If you feel that you, as a manager, are the most important person on your team, I would like to again thank you for being here. If you think you can change that mindset, I highly encourage you to stay. If not, this website may not be for you. Because the reality is you’re not. If this were true, why even have a team at all? It is the synergy, the difference of opinions, the collaboration from a diverse team that makes us great. Much more than any individual team member, even yourself.

Do you want a team that strives for greatness or just accomplishes the mediocre?
In my opinion, and I have witnessed it firsthand, when a team does not have trust, faith, or respect for their manager, they do what is asked. Perhaps out of fear, or just because they want to avoid conflict. And who sets the project scope in this situation, usually the manager. I’d prefer to surround myself with team members smarter than myself who have the comfort in knowing that I am trusting them to evaluate what I provide as a project scope and make it even better, faster, more secure than I could ever design myself. This is where greatness happens, not from one person, but again, the collective power and strength of a team that feels empowered.

If this resonates with you, even in the slightest, I hope that you will continue to read some of the following articles. I truly believe that the world has enough managers. What it needs are more leaders — and that’s exactly what we’re going to talk about.

Articles:

• Why do some people manage while others lead?
• Worst HR moment ever!
• The story of Gary.
• Dave, where did you go? AKA: My retirement.