What is followership ?

Followership

A follower shares in an influence relationship among leaders and other followers with the intent to support leaders who reflect their mutual purposes.

Adair

Leadership An influence relationship among leaders and followers who intend real changes and outcomes that reflect their shared purposes. At its best, leadership is shared among leaders and followers with everyone engaged and accepting higher levels of responsibility.

Daft

Alienated Followers

 Are critical and independent in thinking but fulfill their role without enthusiasm  Are often cynical and disgruntled  Distance themselves from the organization and ownership of its mission  May have experienced an obstacle or setback within the organization and given up

Passive Followers

 Do not exhibit independent thinking or active participation  Limit their activity to what they are told to do  Are often the result of leaders who are over-controlling of others and who punish mistakes

Conformist Followers

 Are sometimes called “yes” people  Actively participate but do not use critical thinking skills  Typically carry out all duties without question  Participate willingly but do not consider consequences  Are concerned only with avoiding conflicts

Pragmatic Followers

 Have qualities of all follower styles – depending on what fits with the current situation  Use whatever style best benefits their own position and minimizes their own risks  Do not state their opinion on issues affecting the organization  Will not take a stand, so are difficult to trust

Characteristics of Effective Followers

     Work toward competency, solutions, and a positive impact Contribute with enthusiasm and support leaders Do not avoid risk or conflict Have the courage to initiate change to serve the best interests of the organization Are able to identify strengths/weaknesses in themselves and the organization

The “New” Relationship

Followers

Purpose

Leaders

The “New” Relationship

Followers

Purpose

Leaders

Independent, Critical Thinking

Alienated

Effective

Pragmatic Followers

Passive Conformist

Dependent, Uncritical Thinking

Obligations of Effective Followers

 Accept responsibility  Challenge authority  Participate in change  Serve the needs of the organization.

 Leave the organization when necessary

Obligations of Leaders

 People rise to your expectations, so increase your expectations of your members.

 Your organization is built upon a common purpose—use it to develop a sense of ownership.

 The best leaders are humble—it is not about the leader; it is about the organization.

 The most effective leaders create a culture of “effective followership .”

Followership is a discipline of supporting leaders and helping them to lead well.

Reverend Paul Beedle

Take care of your followers. They are the ones who will get the job done.

Colin Powell

Effective followership is an excellent building block to effective leadership.

University of Oregon Holden Leadership Center

Leadership is an interactive activity: leaders depend on followers and vice versa.

University of Oregon Holden Leadership Center

Followers are more important to leaders than leaders are to followers.

Barbara Kellerman

In any organization, leaders can help develop effective followers, just as effective followers develop better leaders. The performance of followers, leaders, and the organization are variables that depend on one another.

Daft

What kind of follower are you?