Penguins follow a lead bird, who often stops to see if everyone behind him/her is still following. I'm unsure as to this behavior on land, but penguins line up to plunge into the water in order to confuse a predator who may be lying in wait. By diving en masse into the water, there is enough confusion that the penguins can escape from a befuddled seal.
Following a lead bird is not symptomatic of penguins, alone. Watch geese fly in formation--they do so behind a lead bird. How that leader is designated is for researchers to determine. I just like to see penguins in a line headed for the beach. :)
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