Great followers and great leaders go hand in hand. The concept that a leader has sole responsibility for the success of their relationship is an outdated Industrial Age model that needs to join the dinosaurs. It stems from an archaic Command and Control mentality that is infantilizing and strips folk of their ability to create and contribute. Followership is a discipline of supporting leaders and helping them to lead well.
Leadership is not a one-way street; instead, it is a dynamic interplay, and the follower is as responsible for the relationship with the leader as the leader is. Followers are not merely passive recipients of leadership but active participants who can influence and even transform leadership outcomes. Akin to the best leaders, the best followers have a knack for bringing out the best in their leaders, creating a wonderous reinforcing upward cycle.
Closing Quotes:
“There are two ways of spreading light: to be the candle or the mirror that reflects it.” – Edith Wharton, 1862-1937
“If you believe lack of authority prevents you from leading effectively, it is time to rethink your understanding of leadership.” – Mike Bonem and Roger Patterson, Leading From the Second Chair
“Everyone is always learning and developing. Instead of feeling frustrated by your leader’s lack of skills in a given area, ask ‘How can I help them develop those skills?’” – Tracey White, director of Organization & Leadership Innovation, University of Waterloo
As always, I share what I most want and need to learn. – Nathan S. Collier
Note: Every effort has been made to properly source any 3rd person material. I am, however, a voracious reader. If anyone finds any unattributed material, pls let me know asap and I will be delighted to give credit where credit is due.
“All intelligent thoughts have already been thought; what is necessary is only to try to think them again.” – Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, 1749-1832