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Followership

Followership is the act of supporting and following a leader. It is an important part of any organization or team, as it helps to ensure that the leader's vision and goals are achieved. Followership can be either passive or active. Passive followership is simply following the leader's instructions without question. Active followership, on the other hand, involves taking a more active role in the team or organization, and providing support and feedback to the leader.

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Followership is the act of supporting and following a leader. It is an important part of any organization or team, as it helps to ensure that the leader's vision and goals are achieved. Followership can be either passive or active. Passive followership is simply following the leader's instructions without question. Active followership, on the other hand, involves taking a more active role in the team or organization, and providing support and feedback to the leader.

The Importance of Followership

Followership is important for a number of reasons. First, it helps to ensure that the leader's vision and goals are achieved. When followers are supportive and engaged, they are more likely to work hard and contribute to the team's success. Second, followership helps to create a positive and supportive work environment. When followers feel valued and respected, they are more likely to be motivated and productive. Third, followership can help to develop future leaders. By observing and interacting with effective leaders, followers can learn the skills and knowledge they need to become leaders themselves.

The Qualities of a Good Follower

There are a number of qualities that make a good follower. These include:

  • Loyalty: Good followers are loyal to their leaders and to the team or organization. They are willing to follow the leader's instructions and to support the team's goals.
  • Trust: Good followers trust their leaders. They believe that their leaders are competent and trustworthy, and they are willing to follow them into unknown territory.
  • Respect: Good followers respect their leaders. They recognize the leader's authority and they are willing to follow their instructions. They also respect the other members of the team and are willing to work with them to achieve the team's goals.
  • Communication: Good followers are able to communicate effectively with their leaders. They are able to express their thoughts and ideas clearly and they are able to listen to and understand the leader's instructions.
  • Cooperation: Good followers are willing to cooperate with their leaders and with the other members of the team. They are willing to share their ideas and resources and they are willing to work together to achieve the team's goals.

How to Be a Good Follower

If you want to be a good follower, there are a number of things you can do. These include:

  • Be loyal: Be loyal to your leaders and to the team or organization. Follow the leader's instructions and support the team's goals.
  • Be trustworthy: Be trustworthy and reliable. Keep your promises and follow through on your commitments.
  • Respect your leaders and your team members: Show respect to your leaders and to the other members of the team. Recognize the leader's authority and be willing to follow their instructions. Respect the other members of the team and be willing to work with them to achieve the team's goals.
  • Communicate effectively: Be able to communicate effectively with your leaders and with the other members of the team. Express your thoughts and ideas clearly and listen to and understand the instructions of your leaders.
  • Be cooperative: Be willing to cooperate with your leaders and with the other members of the team. Share your ideas and resources and work together to achieve the team's goals.

The Benefits of Being a Good Follower

There are a number of benefits to being a good follower. These include:

  • You will be more successful: Good followers are more likely to be successful in their careers. They are more likely to be promoted and to achieve their goals.
  • You will have more opportunities: Good followers are more likely to be given opportunities to lead and to take on new challenges.
  • You will be happier: Good followers are more likely to be happy in their work and in their personal lives.

Online Courses on Followership

If you are interested in learning more about followership, there are a number of online courses that can help you. These courses can teach you the skills and knowledge you need to be a good follower. Some of the most popular online courses on followership include:

  • Becoming an Effective Leader
  • The Ethical Leader
  • From Followership to Leadership

These courses can help you learn the skills and knowledge you need to be a good follower. They can also help you develop the confidence and motivation you need to succeed in your career.

Path to Followership

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We've curated two courses to help you on your path to Followership. Use these to develop your skills, build background knowledge, and put what you learn to practice.
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Reading list

We've selected seven books that we think will supplement your learning. Use these to develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a deeper understanding of the topics covered in Followership.
Examines the role of followers in shaping organizational outcomes. It argues that followers are not passive recipients of leadership but rather active participants in the leadership process.
Provides a critical overview of the followership literature. It examines the different theories of followership, the challenges facing followers, and the implications of followership for leadership.
Practical guide to developing followers. It provides a step-by-step process for identifying, developing, and coaching followers.
Emphasizes the importance of followership and provides five essentials for developing world-class followership skills. It is written by the well-known pastor and leadership expert John C. Maxwell.
This Spanish-language book provides a critical look at the dark side of followership.
Highlights the vital role followers play in a time of change and rapid transformation. It offers tips on how to motivate followers to develop skills and attitudes that are critical for success.
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