The Power of Followership: Why Every Great Leader Needs to Be a Great Follower First

In discussions about leadership, the spotlight often falls on the visionary who guides the team, drives decisions, and inspires success. But what if the key to being a truly great leader lies in the ability to follow first? Followership is often overlooked, but it's a fundamental skill that shapes effective teamwork, fosters growth, and creates strong leadership. In fact, some of the best leaders began as great followers.

What is Followership?

Followership is the ability to take direction, support the leader, and play your part in achieving the team’s goals. It doesn’t mean being passive or unthinking. Quite the opposite. Good followers actively engage, provide insights, and support the overall mission. They bring their expertise to the table, contribute thoughtfully, and enhance the leader's vision.

The Mutual Relationship Between Leading and Following

Leadership and followership are two sides of the same coin. A good leader understands the dynamics of followership and knows when to take a step back to let others lead. This back-and-forth creates a balanced team where individuals can rely on each other’s strengths. Leadership isn't about always being in charge; it's about knowing when to trust others to take the reins.

How Followership Strengthens Teams

• Collaboration and Trust: Strong followers help build trust in teams by showing respect for the leader’s decisions while also contributing their own ideas. This promotes a culture of collaboration, which is vital for long-term success.

• Active Contribution: Followers don't sit idly by and wait for orders. They contribute ideas, offer feedback, and help the team adapt to challenges. This active involvement strengthens group dynamics and pushes the team to reach greater heights.

• Shared Accountability: Great teams operate on shared accountability. A good follower doesn't just execute tasks; they take ownership of their part in the team's success or failure, holding themselves and others accountable.

• Growth and Development: Followership offers individuals the opportunity to learn from others, develop patience, and enhance listening skills. These are critical traits for anyone looking to lead in the future.

  
  

Why Every Leader Needs to Be a Follower First

1. Empathy and Understanding: Great leaders who have been followers themselves understand the challenges their team faces. They know what it feels like to take direction and can use that empathy to become better, more understanding leaders.
   

2. Humility: Leading isn't about always being right. It’s about being open to new ideas and acknowledging the value others bring to the table. Learning how to follow teaches humility, which is crucial for creating an environment where everyone feels heard.
   

3. Adaptability: Followership teaches adaptability. In the fast-paced business world, leaders who can pivot, follow others' ideas, and let go of rigid control tend to be more successful. They foster innovation by allowing team members to contribute equally.

Developing Followership Skills Alongside Leadership

In our experience, leadership and followership go hand in hand. Great teams need both roles to thrive. Here’s how to develop followership skills:

1. Learn to Listen: Following starts with listening—really hearing what others have to say. It helps foster an open, communicative team environment.

2. Recognize the Power of Contribution: Realize that your contributions, no matter your role, matter. Take pride in your work, knowing that it plays an integral part in the team's overall success.

3. Encourage Shared Leadership: Great teams often rotate leadership based on expertise. Know when to step up and when to follow someone else’s lead for the benefit of the group.

4. Value Feedback: Just as great leaders must learn to give constructive feedback, followers should learn to accept and act on it. Growth comes from recognizing areas of improvement and continuously striving to do better.

The Bottom Line

Followership is a skill that enhances leadership, not detracts from it. When individuals embrace followership, they support their team, contribute to the collective vision, and create a culture where leadership is a shared responsibility. Every great leader starts by mastering the art of following. The power of followership lies in its ability to build trust, collaboration, and accountability—all essential elements of a successful team.