In her book, Bad Leadership: What it is, How it Happens, Why it Matters, Barbara Kellerman points a finger at followers as a catalyst that allows bad leaders to endure. She points out that, in discussing leadership, often the role of followers is ignored. It certainly is to our detriment as leaders if we ignore followers.
Throughout history there have been those who were in charge, and those who weren’t. Unfortunately, for those who weren’t in charge, life was often much less pleasant than it was for those who were in charge. Similar attitudes tend to survive to this day in some modern organizations where leaders look down at their team members as beneath them; somehow of lower status. How unfortunate! One only has to look at some of our elected politicians to observe a glaring example.
Someone told me once that they watched what their leaders did and noticed the leaders no longer did the hands-on work. He said he didn’t want to attain that level because it would take him away from the skill he so enjoyed. But, he wondered, was it wrong not to want to advance? My answer to that question? Absolutely not!
There are certain skills and traits that tend to define a leader. Not everyone wishes to learn those skills or develop those traits, or they simply may not desire to be in a leadership position. That doesn’t make them any less valuable to the organization and certainly doesn’t make them a lesser person. Though it might seem to be an obvious concept, those who find themselves in leadership positions need to occasionally remind themselves that it’s those followers who keep them employed. Without people who follow, obviously there would be nothing to lead, but more importantly, nothing would be accomplished because it usually isn’t the leaders who actually do the work.
I like to be very blunt with leaders about their relationship with followers; however, I am equally forthright with followers about their relationship with leaders. Followers have a responsibility to support their leaders. That doesn’t mean just do as you’re told and don’t disagree or speak up. As Kellerman points out in Bad Leadership, followers who do not communicate honestly with leaders, or who merely ride along on coattails, don’t help their leaders or themselves. A good follower will always be honest with their leaders and always give them the best they have to offer.
Of course, a good leader must seek out, and give serious consideration to input from their followers. This is a key point! Followers who feel their contributions and expertise are not appreciated will be unlikely to continue to give their support.
The golden rule applies here because followers are the foundation of your success as a leader. Treat them the way you wish previously leaders had treated you.
Bob Mason is dedicated to leadership development. He works with companies to solve problems by helping supervisors and managers become more effective leaders leading more productive teams. He is a professional speaker and author of Don’t Worry, You Can Do This: What New Supervisors and Managers Need to Know About Leadership; The Art of Not Motivating: How Leaders Can Succeed by Understanding the True Nature of Motivation; Balancing the Generations: A Leader’s Guide to the Complex, Multi-Generational, 21st Century Workplace; and Planning to Excel: Strategic Planning That Works.
A 30-year career in the U.S. Air Force exposed him to great leaders and leadership opportunities such as command of four squadrons, including the Air Force’s largest munitions squadron. He has studied leadership extensively, but more importantly has been there, working with real people, making hard decisions, and experiencing the results.
Contact Bob at Bob@BobMasonSpeaker.com or 505-453-5266
