Have we turned into a country of followers? Everywhere I look I see people, women and men, attempting to be like their neighbors by looking like them, acting like them and making the same purchases. More important, for the first time in my lifetime it is considered fashionable to be following others...ie. Who do you follow on Facebook? Who do you follow on Twitter?

Do we really want the next generation to be followers? As a woman in business, do you want to lead or follow?

What happened to the idea of educating and nurturing our children to grow into leaders with the ability to innovate a better future?

All of this came to me recently when on more than four occasions in the same week, by four separate people I was asked who I follow on Twitter and Facebook. I was taken aback as quite honestly I don't really follow anyone. Yes, I am on Facebook and I have a Twitter account, but I have these in order for people to be able to follow me. After all, without these social networks how would anyone find my blog?

However, in all the years I have had a Twitter account I have never actually read anyone's tweets. Please tell me, am I strange? Do you spend hours every day reading other people's tweets rather than pontificating your own?

I've been told, on very good authority, that there actually are some people (they will remain nameless) whose only claim to fame is that they have exponentially more Twitter followers than the average Joe and are given an official Blue checkmark by Twitter for their efforts. Of course, one of the best ways to gain Twitter followers is to follow as many people as you can. My question is must you also read all their tweets or can you just go about your business making money and building a successful business?

I have to admit I view Facebook a little differently as it certainly has given me an opportunity to stay in touch with people I haven't even thought of for years. But, do these people really think I care when they attend a Red Sox game or walk on the beach? I actually do care when wonderful life changing events like births, deaths, weddings and anniversaries are celebrated. As a caring human being, I rejoice in other people's happiness and ache when they share their pain and sadness. But, I in no way follow anyone on Facebook because I wish to wallow in envy wasting my precious time on someone else's life when I could be creating my own new adventure.

As a woman in business, I believe that I have a responsibility to be an example for what women are capable of - not just in business, but as community participants and human caretakers. Leadership is all about communication, and perhaps that is what people who spend their day on Twitter are looking for. The bigger question is what important issues are you leading on?

Clearly, there is no leadership coming out of Washington, D.C. these days. We have elected nothing but followers to Congress. Can you imagine if you led your business, or life for that matter, the way Congress is leading this country?

Leaders work toward a goal. Leaders understand that failure is always possible, but they are fearless risk takers just the same and are willing to do whatever it takes to get the job done. Leaders continually look for creative ways to solve old problems, understanding that progress never happens when you stand still. Leaders aren't concerned with what others will say about them because leaders have a strong sense of self and a higher purpose than being people pleasers. Finally, leaders never give up trying because leaders know that every try brings them closer to success. Leaders learn from their mistakes and take pride in making them.

Yes, women in business can learn from some of today's great women leaders knowing that they too have the desire to make anything possible for the next generation of women. Finding these women leaders on Twitter and Facebook may be the best way any of us can connect with them and their thoughts. But, being thoughtleaders ourselves is the greatest contribution we can make to the people who work for us, live with us and follow us on our adventure. The most important Blue checkmark any of us should care about is a THANK YOU for caring enough to lead.