What is the meaning of followership?

Followership: Definition and Significance

Definition

Followership refers to the capacity or willingness of individuals to follow a leader (Collins Dictionary). It encompasses the ability to align oneself with the leader’s vision, goals, and directives.

Importance of Followership

Followership is crucial for the success of any organization or team. Effective leaders recognize the importance of understanding and meeting the needs of their followers (Bethel University Blog). By doing so, they can foster a cohesive and motivated workforce that is committed to achieving shared objectives.

Role of Leaders in Cultivating Followership

Traditionally, leadership has been viewed as a hierarchical concept, with leaders holding the primary authority. However, contemporary research emphasizes the importance of leaders adapting to the needs and values of their followers (Bethel University Blog). This shift acknowledges that followers are not passive recipients of directives but rather active participants in the organization’s success.

Followership Styles

Robert E. Kelley’s model identifies five distinct followership styles (Bethel University Blog):

• Exemplary followers: High engagement and critical thinking.
• Conformist followers: High engagement, low critical thinking.
• Passive followers: Low engagement and critical thinking.
• Alienated followers: High critical thinking, low engagement.
• Pragmatist followers: Moderate engagement and critical thinking.

Characteristics of Good Followers

According to Ira Chaleff’s book “The Courageous Follower” (Bethel University Blog), good followers exhibit the following characteristics:

• Align their interests with the organization’s mission.
• Defend their leaders while respectfully challenging them.
• Seek feedback for personal growth.
• Are passionate about their work and the people they serve.
• Build relationships based on shared values and purpose.

Cultivating Good Followership

Leaders can cultivate good followership by:

• Understanding and validating followers’ values: Acknowledging and respecting the unique perspectives and motivations of followers.
• Building genuine relationships: Establishing connections based on trust, empathy, and open communication.
• Meeting followers’ needs: Providing resources, support, and opportunities for growth and development.

Conclusion

Followership is an essential aspect of organizational success. By understanding the needs and values of their followers, leaders can create a work environment that fosters motivation, engagement, and alignment. Cultivating good followership is a continuous process that requires leaders to be self-aware, adaptable, and committed to the growth and well-being of their teams.

References

• Collins Dictionary: https://www.collinsdictionary.com/us/dictionary/english/followership
• Merriam-Webster Dictionary: https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/followership
• Bethel University Blog: https://www.bethel.edu/blog/followership/
• Chaleff, I. (2009). The Courageous Follower: Standing up to and for our leaders. (3rd ed.). San Francisco: Berrett-Koehler Publishers.

FAQs

What is followership?

Followership refers to the capacity or willingness of individuals to follow a leader, aligning themselves with the leader’s vision, goals, and directives.

Why is followership important?

Followership is crucial for the success of any organization or team. Effective leaders recognize the importance of understanding and meeting the needs of their followers, fostering a cohesive and motivated workforce that is committed to achieving shared objectives.

What is the role of leaders in cultivating followership?

Leaders play a vital role in cultivating good followership by understanding and adapting to the needs and values of their followers, rather than expecting followers to adapt to them. This involves building genuine relationships, providing support and resources, and creating a work environment that fosters motivation and engagement.

What are different followership styles?

Robert E. Kelley’s model identifies five distinct followership styles: exemplary followers, conformist followers, passive followers, alienated followers, and pragmatist followers. Each style exhibits different levels of engagement and critical thinking.

What are the characteristics of good followers?

Good followers are passionate about their work, defend their leaders while respectfully challenging them, seek feedback for personal growth, and align their interests with the organization’s mission. They build relationships based on shared values and purpose.

How can leaders cultivate good followership?

Leaders can cultivate good followership by understanding and validating followers’ values, building genuine relationships, and meeting followers’ needs. This involves creating a work environment that fosters trust, open communication, and opportunities for growth and development.

What are the benefits of good followership?

Good followership contributes to a more engaged, motivated, and productive workforce. It fosters a sense of ownership and responsibility among followers, leading to better decision-making and problem-solving.

How can individuals develop their followership skills?

Individuals can develop their followership skills by seeking opportunities to work with different leaders, reflecting on their own strengths and weaknesses, and actively seeking feedback and support from mentors and peers.