TOEFL® Essay: A leader or a member

[Konstantin]

Hello!
Question:
Do you agree or disagree with the following statement?
It is better to be a member of the group than to be the leader of a group.
Use specific reasons and examples to support your opinion.

Answer:
I disagree with the statement because, in my view, it is better to be a leader of the group than the member. Of course the leaders have to do the hardest work, but the advantages outweigh it. I would prefer to be a leader because I could realize my own ideas, get more money and improve my personal skills.

Being a leader means the freedom to choose the way of group’s working. If you are the simple employee it’s quite hard to influence on the project making process. But when you are in charge you could turn it around. For example, in the scientific group only the chief knows the overall situation and he gives the particular tasks to the workers. So the leader is the distillation of the group, and he sole knows the entire conception of the group development.

I am certain that the leaders receive more money and privileges. A good leader is the necessary part of every group, and his wage is higher than the simple worker’s one. A leader has more possibilities for carrier growth, because the achievements of the entire group are associated with his person. If the leader realizes some project, providing profit for the company, he, probably, will receive some kind of reward or even the better job position.

In a way, a leader has more opportunities for the professional and personal evolution. At first he communicates directly with the more influence people in the society, who share the knowledge with the leader. This possibility is often closed for the simple members of the group. Also, a leader should learn time-management and he has to be a responsible man. All these abilities are absolutely essential in the common life.

Both the members and the leader of the group can benefit, working in accord. But being the leader means more than participate in activities. It also means steering of the group’s development course, earning a lot of money and improving the personal abilities.