In today’s world, just about everyone has access to endless amounts of knowledge and it is right at our fingertips. The growing use of the internet in our daily lives has made learning and becoming educated easier than ever. However, just because it is there does not mean people are going to take advantage of it. With such ready access to an infinite supply of knowledge, anyone has the ability to form an opinion on any matter, at any time. To some, this is an overwhelming concept to think about, while others feed on the ability to know more and do more. The latter are leaders. The following paragraphs will break leadership down into bite sized pieces in order to provide better understanding of the interactions and outcomes between leaders and followers.
The definition of a leader is as follows, one who guides, is in command, in the position of influence or in a position of importance (Webster’s Dictionary, p. 165). On the other end of the spectrum is a follower, which is defined as, a person who supports and is guided by another person (Webster’s Dictionary, p. 131). Notice that one cannot be a leader without something to lead, and one cannot follow without one who leads. This seems obvious, yes, so what lies below the surface that separates a leader from a follower?
A difficulty of studying leadership is measuring what it takes to be a good leader. Leaders generally have characteristics such as integrity, self-control, decisiveness, humility, being respectable. All of these are true and it is no one thing that makes a leader. As part of my leadership research, I spoke with a wise woman and a strong leader who I know well, Brittney Howard. She and I have narrowed down what it ultimately takes to be a leader into two things. The two key characteristics that separate the leaders from the followers are mindset and willingness to learn.
It is important to keep in mind that these characteristics mean nothing if they are not coupled with action. A couple of my favorite traits of leadership are Stogdill’s (1974) vigor and persistence (Northouse, 2019, p. 20). I believe that when a person combines vigor, persistence, a strong mindset and willingness to learn, anything is possible for them. These traits, when applied, open the door for an individual to find success in all of their endeavors. Of course, that is assuming they apply themselves and commit to the process.
There it is again though, that qualifying condition, taking action. John Maxwell, a highly respected and admired leadership coach and speaker. In his book from 2020, “Success is a Choice,” Maxwell elaborates on the actions and 14 different choices that need to be made in order to achieve success. I believe they are all important, but in the context of focusing on followership, cultivating good relationships and committing to responsibility are probably the most important.
In reality, these two choices and actions go hand in hand. However, I believe committing to responsibility should come first. In doing so a person builds up their own reputation. They become recognized as a person that can be counted on (Maxwell, 2020, p. 162). When done consistently that person is then recognized for their solidity. In turn, this makes the second action of choosing to cultivate quality relationships much easier. Trust is a two-way street in relationships, so having a solid reputation makes it easier to gain trust.
As mentioned before, there are no leaders without followers. In the past, followers were often considered in the realms of leadership research (Northouse, 2019, p.293). In hindsight, such ignorance is rather foolish. Followers are no different than leaders, they bring strengths, unique characteristic expectations and other behaviors to the table. Followers play their own role in the process of leadership. Specifically, followers get to learn from, support and challenge leaders, not to mention they get the work done (Northouse, 2019, p.306). For these reasons, they are equally important as leaders.
So why mention all of that? Well, leaders and followers both influence each other, like a feedback loop. It comes back to Maxwell’s (2020) choices of cultivating good relationships and committing to responsibility (pp. 143-158). After acknowledging the importance of followers, a leader is more likely to make these choices. These choices will lead to a higher quality leadership, then a higher quality of followers, which will then lead to a higher quality of followership (PSU WC, 2021, L. 3). In total, the higher followership will produce the return of higher results, which can ideally be measured as success.
References
Maxwell, J.C. (2020). Success is a choice (pp. 143 -158). HarperCollins Leadership
Northouse, P.G. (2019). Leadership: Theory and Practice (pp. 19-41 & 249-306).Los Angeles: Sage Publications.
Pennsylvania State University World Campus (2021). PSYCH 485 Lesson 1: Introduction to Leadership. Retrieved from https://psu.instructure.com/courses/2132629/modules/items/32790500
Pennsylvania State University World Campus (2021). PSYCH 485 Lesson 3: Followership. Retrieved from https://psu.instructure.com/courses/2132629/modules/items/32790532
Webster. (2006). Follower. In The new international Webster’s standard dictionary (p. 131). Trident Reference Publishing.
Webster. (2006). Leader. In The new international Webster’s standard dictionary (p. 165). Trident Reference Publishing.