FOLLOW THEIR LEADERS
WHY IT MATTERS
Almost every leader in an organization reports to another leader. This means leaders can’t just be good leaders, they also have to be good followers. As leaders follow their leaders, alignment is created from the bottom of the organization all the way to the top. Leaders that follow their leaders ensure that the chain of command stays strong, the organization stays uniformly focused on its target, and results are systematically achieved. They exemplify the loyalty they hope others will show them. Leaders that refuse to follow their leaders become a weak link in the leadership chain, spawn misalignment, roadblock results, limit their growth and that of others, and through their actions put the work of the organization at risk.
WHAT IT LOOKS LIKE
Leaders know that great leadership is grown in the garden of great followership. They know that despite their position as a leader, they are also a follower. They know that faithful followership opens doors and ensures they are ready to assume new opportunities when they come. They know that their decision to follow their leader will create ripple effects through the entire organization.
Leaders that are great followers make every effort to understand the thoughts, desires, hopes, intentions, and perspectives of their leaders. They try to see things how their leaders see them. They invest in understanding the overarching vision their leaders have for the future, and comprehending the strategies that have been set to achieve it. They can make their leader’s vision and strategy come to life in their own role and work. They help everyone under their stewardship align to the direction of the organization and invite them to be part of the reason for success.
Leaders that are great followers don’t expect their leaders to be perfect. They are slow to be critical, choosing instead to look for opportunities to give their leaders the benefit of the doubt. They believe their leaders are doing their best. They know leadership positions don’t come with an endowment of perfection. They choose to help fill in their leader’s gaps instead of being a catalyst that enhances their negative effects.
Leaders that are great followers are so invested in the success of their leaders they refuse to follow their leaders blindly. When they have concerns, they speak up. Their desire is to make sure their leaders have all the information they need to do the right thing, even if it means sharing bad news or asking hard questions. However, once their leaders make a decision, they support them without hesitation.
Leaders that are great followers aren’t a drag on their leaders. They don’t need to be told what to do. They know the parameters that guide their work and take independent action. They solve the problems in front of them without always needing help. When they know what need to be done they just do it. They bring forward proactive ideas and make things better without going beyond their given scope.
Leaders that are great followers never talk poorly of their leaders to others. If they have a problem with their leader they resolve it directly. They show loyalty to their leaders in public and private conversations, as long as their actions are honest, ethical, and correctly motivated.
BELIEFS
SELF-REFLECTION
WORDS OF CAUTION
Almost every leader in an organization reports to another leader. This means leaders can’t just be good leaders, they also have to be good followers. As leaders follow their leaders, alignment is created from the bottom of the organization all the way to the top. Leaders that follow their leaders ensure that the chain of command stays strong, the organization stays uniformly focused on its target, and results are systematically achieved. They exemplify the loyalty they hope others will show them. Leaders that refuse to follow their leaders become a weak link in the leadership chain, spawn misalignment, roadblock results, limit their growth and that of others, and through their actions put the work of the organization at risk.
WHAT IT LOOKS LIKE
Leaders know that great leadership is grown in the garden of great followership. They know that despite their position as a leader, they are also a follower. They know that faithful followership opens doors and ensures they are ready to assume new opportunities when they come. They know that their decision to follow their leader will create ripple effects through the entire organization.
Leaders that are great followers make every effort to understand the thoughts, desires, hopes, intentions, and perspectives of their leaders. They try to see things how their leaders see them. They invest in understanding the overarching vision their leaders have for the future, and comprehending the strategies that have been set to achieve it. They can make their leader’s vision and strategy come to life in their own role and work. They help everyone under their stewardship align to the direction of the organization and invite them to be part of the reason for success.
Leaders that are great followers don’t expect their leaders to be perfect. They are slow to be critical, choosing instead to look for opportunities to give their leaders the benefit of the doubt. They believe their leaders are doing their best. They know leadership positions don’t come with an endowment of perfection. They choose to help fill in their leader’s gaps instead of being a catalyst that enhances their negative effects.
Leaders that are great followers are so invested in the success of their leaders they refuse to follow their leaders blindly. When they have concerns, they speak up. Their desire is to make sure their leaders have all the information they need to do the right thing, even if it means sharing bad news or asking hard questions. However, once their leaders make a decision, they support them without hesitation.
Leaders that are great followers aren’t a drag on their leaders. They don’t need to be told what to do. They know the parameters that guide their work and take independent action. They solve the problems in front of them without always needing help. When they know what need to be done they just do it. They bring forward proactive ideas and make things better without going beyond their given scope.
Leaders that are great followers never talk poorly of their leaders to others. If they have a problem with their leader they resolve it directly. They show loyalty to their leaders in public and private conversations, as long as their actions are honest, ethical, and correctly motivated.
BELIEFS
- You can’t really learn how to lead until you have learned how to follow.
- If you have never been a good follower, how can you expect to someday lead other followers?
- Make the decision to catch your leader when they fall, instead of trying to keep them down.
- It is important to treat and follow your leader like you would hope others would follow you.
- Always ask yourself the question, “If I was the leader, what would I want my followers to do?”
- Followership means the kind of loyalty that sticks to a leader in the hard times as well as the good times.
- One of the greatest ways to be a dedicated follower is to defend leaders to their doubters instead of harboring safely with them.
- Your decision to follow your leaders will have a far greater impact on you and the organization than you could ever know.
- Listen to the counsel of your leaders.
- Seek to understand the vision of your leaders.
- Share concerns openly with those above you.
- Be committed to making your leaders successful.
- Don’t follow leaders for selfish interests only.
- Seek to help your leaders get better.
- Give your leaders the benefit of the doubt.
- Trust your leader’s intentions.
- Openly counsel with your leaders.
- Give your leaders a “can do” attitude.
- Gives your leaders your very best work.
- Accept direction with humility.
- Receive feedback from leaders and act on it.
- Do what your leaders ask you to do.
- Feel responsible to make your leader successful.
- Be loyal to those that lead you.
- Do not talk negatively about your leaders.
- Resolve concerns with your leaders personally.
- Understand your leaders before passing judgment.
- Care enough about your leader to tell the truth.
- Don’t be afraid to ask hard questions.
- Rally others to support your leaders.
SELF-REFLECTION
- Do I resolve problems with my leaders face to face, or do I take my problems to others behind my leader’s back?
- Do I see the impact being a good follower on the organization, or do I fail to see the consequences of not following?
- Do I try to see things through the lens of my leader’s eyes, or do I only see the world through my own eyes?
- Do I help resolve other’s concerns about my leaders, or do I add more fuel to their fire of discontent?
- Do I make the vision and goals of my leaders my own, or do I go off and just do what I want to do?
- Do I give my leaders the benefit of the doubt, or do I hold them to an unreasonable standard of perfection?
- Do I support my leaders when I am with them and when I am not, or do I act different when they are not around?
- Do I match the level of energy and sacrifice my leaders give to their work, or do I give less than they do?
WORDS OF CAUTION
- Don’t become known as someone whose only motivation for following their leaders is personal favor or gain.
- Don’t become so dependent on your leaders you can’t stand on your own two feet and do work without them.
- Don’t be blind to the time when you need to stop following your leaders because of unethical or dishonest behavior.
- I know what my boss expects from me and I do it.
- Even if I don’t agree with my boss, I respect their position.
- My job is to make my boss look good.
- Once my boss makes a decision, I’m behind him/her 100%.
- You don’t have to be close friends with your boss to give them your best effort.
- I never hesitate to ask my boss questions.