Followership for Leadership Breakthrough

It is simple logic that any individual or organization cannot achieve breakthrough and success if the focus is solely on taking up the leadership roles and with no willingness to play an effective follower’s roles. It is undeniable that the effectiveness of any leader is to a great extent dependent on the willingness and consent of the followers. Without followers, there can be no leader. Listed below are four critical characteristics of being an effective followership:

Firstly, effective followers are loyal, reliable, honest and truthful. It is critical that followers provide sincere and truthful information to their leaders. Good followers speak up even to the point of disagreeing with their leaders. Ineffective followers fail to give honest opinions. They cover up problems and are inclined to become ‘yes men.

Secondly, effective followers think for and carry out duties with assertiveness and motivation. They can be independent, critical thinkers for the impact of their actions, creative and innovative, and take criticism constructively. They are rational and responsible human resources who can succeed without strong leadership because they are committed to the vision and purpose of  being a leader.

Thirdly, effective followers are distinguishable from ineffective followers by their enthusiasm and self-reliant participation in the pursuit of team objective. Ineffective followers on the other hand, are often critical, cynical, apathetic, and alienated and become experts at the “the blame game,” blaming everybody around them for problems.

Finally, followers sometimes need to function as leaders whenever is required. Indeed, followers and leaders are linked together in interrelated roles and are dependent on each other. Clearly, the importance of followers cannot be underestimated.

As we devote much of our time and money to further develop our leadership qualities, perhaps we should also keep reminding ourselves that followership is what enables leaders the opportunity to achieve breakthrough and successes.