Introduction In this world of large business and international corporations we must have good leaders. Leadership is needed to keep everything working properly. However, what is often forgotten is that we also need to have followers. To be a follower is often seen as a negative thing, but it is an essential part of everyday life. If there is no one there to follow the orders of those with a vision, then that vision will never come to pass. If the police did not follow the orders of their chief, then there would be chaos in the streets. This same principle applies in the business world, and a good follower will also be a valued employee. J. Whitlock, (2013) states that, “good followership is increasingly being recognized as an important component for high performance.” (p. 20). There are many different characteristics that an employer will look for in an applicant, but this essay will only delve into five of them. The most important ones, I feel are, a good work ethic, honesty, competence, good judgement, and courage. 5 Characteristics of a Good Follower One of the most important characteristics a follower, or any person, must have, is a good work ethic. Someone may be the most capable person for the job, but if they are not willing to actually get up and do the job then all of the many qualifications that they have do not mean a single thing. A person with a lesser amount of training, but a desire and motivation to do well and work hard, will likely be a considered a better
Being a follower does not seem ideal in an Army in dire need of good leaders. Becoming a good leader requires you to establish a foundation to build your leadership skills. Dictionary.com
Personal courage expects a leader to be accountable for the health, education, well-being and development of his subordinates. Loyalty is a critical characteristic possessed by a leader. Being loyal to the people and looking out for their best interests; helps to seek training, education and opportunities for them (Wynn, 2008). Loyalty to the organization sometimes interferes with loyalty to the people. However, it is the responsibility of a leader to maintain a balance between the two. An effective leader must lead his people by example, which involves high level of professionalism. A leader must set a standard for his subordinates. Leaders must be passionate about their role of leadership as well as their profession (Wynn, 2008). Personal development plays an important role in crafting the leaders, which involves six skill
The workforce within any organization is the engine that keeps the business moving forward. Positive leadership, as well as effective and competent following, could be the difference between success and failure for a business. Effective leadership and followers should have a symbiotic relationship, which is the most effective way a business will meet its goals. It can be seen within Jake’s Pet Land case study that there truly is a difference between leadership styles amongst different leaders. While Philip and Jan took a different approach to being a leader, Adam’s role of the follower stayed the same. Adam continued to exemplify the best characteristics possible as a follower in order to make the business as
In followership there needs to be a leader that inspires and bonds followers together as a unit moving in one direction. Today’s leader has to be more than someone that was placed in a position of authority, a person with a title and a higher salary level. A real leader is found when the behaviors and attitudes of their
Antecedents that influence leadership include factors such as the leader’s personality and ethics, followers’ openness, and cultural norms. Furthermore, the leader’s behaviors affect the process. For example, a leader needs to be knowledgeable regarding an organization’s goals to effectively address and handle difficult situations. A servant leader assists followers in achieving purposes. A leader treats followers fairly and respects personal values. The leader helps followers learn to make choices. An ideal outcome is a favorable effect on the followers, organization, and community. The leader can determine which needs will help followers progress and plan to meet those needs through developing programs or obtaining funding (Northouse, 2016).Servant leadership is important for management because it affects employee’s productivity. While a manager requires work to be completed and appears unconcerned if an employee has a problem, the servant leader may help a follower so he or she can work successfully. For example, although a manager may penalize an employee for arriving late, a servant leader may ask the employee what he or she needs to arrive to work on time. After the leader and the employee successfully collaborate, the effect is that the manager is appeased and the employee keeps a job. A servant leader can help employees develop a supportive community
(2016). p.33). There are many traits that a leader must have to be able to be successful. Three that come to mind are trustworthy or honest, motivated, and knowledgeable. Ever leader needs to be honest and have the trust of those who are following them. This is essential for any plan or idea to be carried out steadily. Also, open communication cannot happen if one does not trust their leader. Next, a leader must be motivated and have energy. If a leader is not motivated, those who are following them are also not going to be motivated either. Someone has to be able to push others to keep up the hard work to get to where they need to be. Lastly, a leader needs to be knowledgeable. At work, often when faced with something that I do not know the answer to, I go to my charge nurse who is very knowledgeable on almost all situations that may arise. If lacking any vital knowledge, staff under that leader will not have anyone to go to in times of need. This leads to the follower being lost and not knowing what the next step is in their situation. All of these traits are what I like to see in a leader in my work
A follower must show integrity, therefore he must be honest. If a leader is trying to help you and you don’t tell him the truth, whether it be admitting that you don’t know how to do a stationary drill movement or you don’t like his leading style, then you have nothing to gain from him and he can’t help you. A follower must show respect. If an officer or NCO is placed above you then you have to follow his commands and listen to his orders, otherwise the leader-follower team accomplishes nothing. A follower must be willing to volunteer his time. A leader cannot shape his follower if his follower is constantly making excuses as to why he can’t be somewhere. If the follower never sacrifices his time so he can learn from the leader, then the leader’s efforts to teach ultimately fail. Last, a follower must have an extreme level of excellence. A good follower will listen attentively to his leader’s instruction, but a great follower will become his leader’s
Leadership and management for many go hand in hand, and may be perceived as one in the same. In the book titled, The Servant (1998), James C. Hunter challenged this mainstream view, and literally turned this concept, which so many are coached on, upside-down. The notions of what characterizes a virtuous leader, as well as what it means to serve others, are the primary focal points of Hunter’s book. He did an eloquent job of revealing his theory concerning effective leadership by using an allegorical approach which, made the content easier to digest and much more personable. The Servant deeply resonated with me, and I gained significant value from the attitudes Hunter presented which, I can apply to my schooling, personal life, and future career paths. I was also able to discern what I felt to be applicable elements regarding the mark of a worthy leader, and arrived at my own theories.
Effective followership is an essential component of effective leadership in that, without good followers, the leader’s work is difficult and cumbersome. The role of the follower is many times understated. As illustrated by Kelley (1998), “effective followers are thinkers; energetic and assertive, self-starters, independent problem solvers, and carry out their tasks with these characteristics (p. 143). Effective followers also are characterized by their ability to perform tasks with little supervision, their intelligence, and ability to think for themselves. We are all followers, even those who consider themselves leaders; so to encourage this effectiveness in others; we must be role models for those under us, so that they may also be effective at following. Chaleff (2009) observed that “all important social accomplishments require complex
Followership is the ability to take direction well and be part of a team and deliver what is expected. Followers are just as important to an enterprise success as the leader’s lead. Followership, according to Atchison, is the reciprocal process of leadership (Atchison, 2004) The stigma of followership skills is, one does not reach progressively more responsible leadership positions without demonstrating an ability to follow and function effectively in a group. The fact is that in organizations
Going through life, we may find ourselves in a position of leadership or following another to an un-chartered destination. I believe that a leader who holds the attributes described in this paper is a leader that I would follow, therefore, this is the leader that I would like to
As a good follower, I need to accept responsibility and I need to be aware of the tasks that I have to take on. I have to readily support my leader at all times and I should be able to voice my opinions to my leader in a very supportive way. Leaders can only lead an organization successfully if they have personalities that appeal to their followers. The individual reflection and big five
The study in to the area of followership has been overshadowed by leadership for many years, and continues to lack in research studies to examine this important topic. American culture may be partly responsible for “follower” having a negative connotation. Sayings like “always a leader, never a follower” help to reinforce this idea. Leaders are looked upon as an elite class, while followers are viewed as people who did not achieve.
Chapter one portrays the importance on followers and provides some insight and labels different types of followers. Riggio et al (2008), provides examples on the various styles of individuals as followers, for instance, the sheep, the yes-people, the alienated, the pragmatics, and the star followers. Furthermore, these classes of followers provide a better understanding to leaders on why one performs in an organization.
Research on management and leadership in organizations over the past century shows there are still no clear definitions or answers about what counts as effective and successful leadership; the field remains varied and argued. Actual studies of leadership began in the early twentieth century. The research and studies on leadership have resulted in defining what characters, traits and attitudes are considered to be significant for leaders to possess. The early studies of leadership theories focused on the person and their behaviors, currently known as leadership trait theories and behavioral theories. It is important for organizational leaders and managers to understand what characteristics, traits and actions of an individual mark a great leader when forming a strong diverse workforce.