Is it Better to Have a Bigger Role on a Smaller Team?

Our reader poll today asks: Would you rather have a larger leadership role on a smaller team or a smaller leadership role on a bigger team?

– I want the larger leadership role on a smaller team: 79.09%

– I prefer the smaller leadership role as part of a bigger team: 20.91%

The Head of the Dog. The preference is clear – people would rather be the head of the dog rather than the tail of the lion. Said differently, taking the larger leadership role is much more preferred even if it’s on a smaller team. This is a common dynamic that’s worth understanding in more depth. It’s only logical. As leaders, many of us seek to have as much impact as possible. To do so, we like some measure of control and being on a smaller team gives us exactly that. One thought – don’t dismiss that smaller leadership role on a bigger team. It might give you the visibility required to jump to the bigger leadership role on the bigger team.

Do you agree with these poll results? Let us know in the comments below!

– Mike Figliuolo at thoughtLEADERS, LLC

Did you enjoy this post?  If so, I highly encourage you to take about 30 seconds to become a regular subscriber to this blog.  It’s free, fun, practical, and only a few emails a week (I promise!).  SIGN UP HERE to get the thoughtLEADERS blog conveniently delivered right to your inbox!

These results were originally a SmartPulse poll in SmartBrief on Leadership which tracks feedback from more than 190,000 business leaders. Get smarter on leadership and sign up for the SmartBrief on Leadership e-newsletter.