BLOG: We need to talk about Followership!
Having recently been asked an interesting question (on Twitter) by and after a chat via DM to a couple of other Twitter followers; here’s my condensed take on the subject.
While the below pasted tweet was intended as leadership-orientated, with the would-be reader as the subject encouraged to think; it was suggested to consider the ‘follower’ angle... and rightly so. The leader could be the best in the world, but without their followers they’re nothing.
"Your subordinates do 1 of 4 things when you’re not around:
[1] Boast about you to peers in other Depts/Units
[2] Correct others when you’re being discussed in a negative way
[3] Go quiet when you’re being discussed in a negative way
[4] Destroy you behind your back
You own this. Fite me"
Previously, as Retention SNCO, I was too aware that a common gripe with service leavers was a chronic lack of appreciation. In my honest opinion this permeates across a lot of the organisation. We have to celebrate successes, not always downwards.
Followers: speak about unseen wins and praise good work.
Similar to praise where praise is due, defend where defence is due! Hearing someone bad-mouth people 24/7? Are they chronic moaners? Are they damaging the professional status of someone and why? A good follower nips that in the bud. After all, followers are leaders in training.
Why do some followers not do points raised above?
Cynic view: gameplay - want others/mission to fail or perform badly. Unmotivated. Unfulfilled.
Less cynic: difficult culture, group think, to fit in, bystanders. Uninspired. Uncommitted (still a follower, but a sheep).
Leadership is a behaviour that influences performance (positive or negative performance!)... so is followership. You, whether leading or following, have the power to deliberately mess things up if you wish. James Kerr’s Rule No.6 applies equally to following; no dickheads.
I recall being gripped by a Major because I dared to say that the CO was also a follower (during a presentation).
The CO had mentors, he had a boss, he was inspired by people. He was continually influenced by others and followed orders.
He. Was. A. Follower.
Leadership and Followership are two sides of the same coin.
If one claims not to follow anybody else, like I see in some "alpha" style “leadership” books (I follow nobody, I am the alpha, I know I’m the best there is, everybody looks to me (?!) ...you declare yourself unteachable.
Thus, you think you’re perfect... and you’re likely alone with that view.
I recently read that the best leaders of today were the best team members of yesterday. This plays directly into the hands of followership.
I implore you, give the below 3 minute YouTube video a watch; think about the dancers being the ‘team’.
A little while ago a friend passed on a befitting quote, again this was aimed at a leadership context tweet which turned to followership (they often do without this being explicitly acknowledged).
“When we are debating an issue, loyalty means giving me your honest opinion, whether you think I'll like it or not.
...But once a decision has been made, the debate ends.
From that point on, loyalty means executing the decision as if it were your own.”
~ Colin Powell
Followers enact that which is directed by the leader. Some with gusto, others not so much. Nothing gets done without followers.
So, getting right to the heart of the point... followership is everything leadership is and more. It takes guts to follow, especially if the leader is highly unlikable.
“...If you want to go far, take a team” - John Wooden (below image).
Dear readers: lead well, follow well.
