TOEFL® essay samples: Group Member or Leader

[Tabby]

Hi Alan/Torsten,
Please review my essay.
Thanks a lot in advance
-Tabby

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 in support of your answer.

Even a small and intricate part is important for the proper functioning of a complex machine. Likewise, every member of a group is responsible for its smooth and right functioning. Be it a member or leader, both have different roles but a similar goal, that’s to fulfill the duties assigned to them. After analyzing the role and the responsibilities associated with both, I would say that being a member of a group is better than leading the group. I feel this because of the reasons elaborated in my essay below.

A member of a group can afford to do mistakes. But, the leader of any group cannot afford to take any wrong decision. Since, the success of his group depends on him, he has to be right and logical everytime he takes any decision. Unfortunately, if anything goes wrong, the people at a higher level hold him responsible. So, it is better to be a member especially, if one is dilettante.

A member, if not a leader can present his viewpoint even if it’s absurd for others. But a leader cannot behave likewise. For instance, a person who is still at learning stage may come up with several ideas in his mind, he can definitely pour them out if he is at the same level as others and not the one, who will be followed by all.

At a member level, there is always a scope of improvement since he interacts with everyone freely and takes lessons .He learns from others who are more experienced. And most importantly, it has been experienced many times that a leader, morally weak, goes into a feeling of superiority and ego conflicts. So, a person, who is a member may remain away from such conflicts if at all arise.

If we analyze the learning that is associated with being a member and the risks of being a leader, I would reiterate that membership of a group is better than its leadership.

[Alan]

Even a small and intricate part is important for the proper functioning of a complex machine. Likewise, every member of a group is responsible for its smooth and right functioning. Be it a member or leader, both have different roles but a similar goal, that IS to fulfill the duties assigned to them. After analyzing the role and the responsibilities associated with both, I would say that being a member of a group is better than leading the group. I feel this because of the reasons elaborated in my essay below.

A member of a group can afford to MAKE mistakes. But, the leader of any group cannot afford to take any wrong decision. Since, the success of his group depends on him, he has to be right and logical every time he takes any decision. Unfortunately, if anything goes wrong, the people at a higher level hold him responsible. So, it is better to be a member especially, if one is NOT COMMITTED.

A member, if not a leader can present his viewpoint even if it’s absurd for others. But a leader cannot behave likewise. For instance, a person who is still at A learning stage may come up with several ideas in his mind, he can definitely pour them out if he is at the same level as others and not the one, who will be followed by all.

At a member level, there is always scope of improvement since he interacts with everyone freely and takes lessons .He learns from others who are more experienced. And most importantly, it has been experienced many times that a leader, morally weak, goes into a feeling of superiority and ego conflicts. So, a person, who is a member may remain away from such conflicts if THEY SHOULD arise.

If we analyze the learning that is associated with being a member and the risks of being a leader, I would reiterate that membership of a group is better than its leadership.


Alan
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English as a Second Language
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