FOLLOWERSHIP (Handout) Learn to obey before you command. Solon A. Followership Followership is relatively a new field of study. Numerous definitions based on the experiences and understanding of different people from different fields has come up to give meaning to the word. The following are some of the definitions: It is the process in which subordinates recognize their responsibility to comply with orders of leaders and take appropriate action consistent with the situation to carry out those orders to the best of their ability. It is the ability to know where and when to articulate ones views on an issue, and then to have the loyalty and the devotion to carry out the final decision on that issue. Webster's dictionary defines followership as "The capacity or willingness to follow a leader." B. Importance of followership 1. Followers are potential leaders 2. Most leaders are also followers. 3. The traits required from followers are the same traits required from a leader Following is inherent to us especially to soldiers but it does not make everyone a good follower. It takes time to learn the skills of good followership just like in leadership. C. Interdependencies Between a Leader and Follower In the study of leadership, followers are all too often taken for granted. However, there exist critical interdependencies between leader and followers that cannot be ignored. These interdependencies are essential to mission accomplishment. 1. Superior education, technical skills, and access to information are no longer available only to leaders or the aristocracy. They are available to everyone. As a result, there is a very narrow gap between the abilities of leaders and followers. 2. Leaders come from the ranks of followers. Few leaders can be successful without first learning skills of followership. Hence, the contemporary study of leadership must examine followership and leader development as they affect organizational success. Followership is, in effect, a prerequisite, for effective leadership. Most of us are followers more often than we are leaders. Even when we have subordinates, we still have those above us. Followership, dominates our lives and our organizations, but a preoccupation with leadership often constraints us from truly appreciating the nature of' the follower. 3. Qualities that make effective followers are paradoxically the same qualities found in effective leaders. What distinguishes effective followers from effective leaders is the role they play. Effective followers and leaders easily move from one role to the other. In many organizations, the leadership role is the path to success and the one that is most focused on for development and rewarded. That is unfortunate because most organizations need good followers more than they need emerging leaders. A few organizations such as the military recognize the importance of the role of follower. D. Qualities of an Effective Follower 1. They manage themselves well. The key to being an effective follower refers to the ability to think for oneself to exercise control and independence and to work without close supervision. Good followers are people to whom a leader can safely delegate responsibility, people who anticipate needs at their own level of competence and authority. 2. They are committed to the organization and to a purpose, principle, or person outside themselves. Effective followers are committed to something a cause, a product, an organization, an idea in addition to the care of their own lives and careers. This is especially true for soldiers, to risk ones life and follow a leader to accomplish a difficult mission requires commitment to the cause of the profession of arms. 3. They build their competence and focus their efforts for maximum impact. Competence and Focus means that effective followers master skills that will be useful to their organizations. They generally hold higher performance standards than the work environment requires, and continuing education is second nature to them, a staple in their professional development. 4. They are courageous, honest, and credible. Courage, honesty and credibility are important characteristic of effective followers. They establish themselves as independent, critical thinkers whose knowledge and judgment can be trusted. They give credit where credit is due, admitting mistakes and sharing successes. They form their own views and ethical standards and stand up for what they believe in. E. Rules of Good Followership 1. Do not blame the boss. Do not blame your boss for an unpopular decision or policy. Your Job is to support, not undermine 2. private. Do not fight the boss. Fight with your boss if necessary, but do it in 3. Use Initiative. Make the decision and then run it past the boss. 4. Accept responsibility. Accept responsibility whenever offered. 5. Tell the truth and do not quibble. Your boss will be giving advice up the chain of command based on what you say. 6. Do your homework. Give your boss all the information needed to make a decision. 7. Suggest implementation. When making recommendations, remember who will probably have to implement them. This means you must know your own strengths and limitations. 8. in the unit. Keep the boss informed. Keep the boss informed of what is going on 9. Fix problems as they occur. If you see a problem, fix it. Do not worry about who gets the blame, or praise. 10. Put in an honest day's work. Put in more than an honest day's work, but never forget the needs of your family. If they are unhappy, you will be too, and your job performance will suffer accordingly.
