鯛たいの尾おより鰯いわしの頭かしら

expression

better to be the head of a small group than the tail of a large one

Proverb meaning it is better to be a leader in a small or humble position than a follower in a prestigious one. Literally: 'rather than the tail of a sea bream, the head of a sardine.'

• 大だい企き業ぎょうで平ひら社しゃ員いんでいるより、小ちいさな会かい社しゃでリーダーになる方ほうがいい。まさに「鯛たいの尾おより鰯いわしの頭かしら」だ。

  It's better to be a leader in a small company than a rank-and-file employee in a large corporation. That's exactly 'better to be the head of a sardine than the tail of a sea bream.'