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When I was a child, my friends and I would go to the local school yard and enjoy pick-up games. We would take turns being captain and then divide into teams. We all had fun without adult supervision. As I grew older, I became aware that in the "adult world" it was better to be the "picker" (leader) than a "pickee" (follower).
Aspiring to Lead
I learned there were all types of leaders in the world: student leaders, church leaders, community leaders, business leaders, political leaders, team leaders and so forth. I learned that our society viewed leaders as "stars" and followers ... well, followers are followers. We should aspire to be leaders. Like many of you, I started reading books about leaders. When I arrived at college, I discovered there were courses on leadership but none on followership.
We are all followers
As an adult, I quickly realized that I actually spent a fair amount of time following others' leads. Isn't one person's leader another person's follower? Leaders could not be leaders without followers. Yet, I've been in leadership team meetings where everyone privately wanted to lead and no one wanted to follow. But, in any given situation not everyone can be the leader. Some team members must be followers if there is any hope of getting things done. Also, leaders are only effective if their followers are effective.
Leadership is a role and followership is a choice.
How do we learn to be effective followers?
In my experience there are five types of followers:
- Enthusiastic: Diehards are passionate about an idea a person or both and will give all for them. When they consider something worthy, they becomes dedicated.
- Willing: Activists feel strongly about their organizations and leaders and act accordingly. When supportive, they are eager, energetic and engaged.
- Compliant: Passive followers do as they are told and are not particularly active participants. They do what is expected of them and keep their heads below the radar. They "go along to get along."
- Fearful: Fearful followers feel coerced or intimidated. They fear potential loss of job, position, money or some other valued asset.
- Resistant/Unwilling: Resistant followers refuse to follow. They do not support the decisions and authority of the leader.They will create roadblocks and undermine the leadership.
While there are different types of followers, effective followership must correspond to the situation. Each situation offers the follower a choice on how to support the leader.
Pushing the Edge of Your Thinking
- What type of follower are you for your leader?
- Is that what your leader needs and expects of you?
- If not, are you willing to change and become the follower that your leader needs?
- What type of followers do you need to be successful as a leader?
- Do you have the type of followership you need to succeed?
- What do you need to do to engender the type of followers you need?
Feel free to share this mailing with your friends and colleagues.
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