A proverb meaning it's better to be the head of a small group than the tail of a great one—being leader of something modest is preferable to being a minor part of something prestigious.
有名な会社の末端で働くより、地元の小さな会社でリーダーになることを選んだ。鯛の尾より鰯の頭だと思ったからだ。
Rather than working as a minor employee in a famous company, I chose to become a leader at a small local firm. I thought it's better to be the head of a small fish than the tail of a big one.
クラブの副会長より、人数の少ない団体の会長をやったほうがやりがいがある。鯛の尾より鰯の頭だね。
Being president of a small group can be more rewarding than being vice-president of a large club. Better the head of a small fish than the tail of a big one.
彼は名門大学の末席にいるより、地元の大学で教授として活躍することを選んだ。鯛の尾より鰯の頭だ。
He chose to be an active professor at a local university rather than a minor position at a prestigious one—better to be a head of a sardine than the tail of a sea bream.