It is better to be a member of a group than to be the leader of a group.

[Alfonso]

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 to support your answer.

When we think of our world and its abundance of activities, tasks, duties, and various projects which must be done in groups of people, one of the first things that may come to mind is that which one is better: try to be a leader of a group or just be a member? To me, the stressful nature of leadership as well as its responsibility and its necessary commitment will definitely lead me to choose membership.

First, as almost everyone knows the matter of leadership and stress have always connected to each other in an extricable way. Although being a leader may cause to reach a better and higher hierarchical level, personally, I prefer to ignore it because of its involvement with several stressful occasions. Besides that, it is a boss or a leader of a group who is responsible for the achievements and the goals that the group is supposed to reach not members. Thus, I would be responsible only for my own task and duty as a member. Broadly speaking, the fewer duties one may have, the lesser stress he may suffer.

Second, the door of the leadership world is not simply open to anyone. Some people believe that true leaders are born. Not only do the leaders need a natural talent for their leadership, it requires some unbearable educational trainings and a lot of experience. So, to me, it is not worth wasting time to learn something that in future will encircle me with tough situation.

Third, as a member of a group one has just a limited duties and tasks to do so they have a more spare time to be with their family and friends. Being a leader necessitates being in some time-consuming sessions with other upper-level leaders and other member; just like my boss as the leader of my group in my workplace. I sometimes feel sorry for him because he almost every day is in sessions and even dose not have time to eat lunch just like ordinary members of group.

All in all, thinking of stressful nature of leadership, its required experience and talent, and its nearly full-time engagement, I do not prefer being a leader. For me, the world of membership is more justifiable.

TOEFL listening discussions: Why does the young man have grapes for lunch?

[Kitosdad]