Leaders and Followers

People are obsessed with leadership. From LinkedIn to Instagram, from footpath to airport bookstores, the 'How To Be A Leader' narrative is all-pervading.

Everyone wants to be a leader. As the 80s song went, 'Everybody Wants To Rule The World'.

So, I think leadership is overrated. The real deal is followership.

Look around you, at the great institutions. Microsoft, the Indian Railways, the big banks, the big industries. They were built by the sweat and toil of followers, not leaders. These followers showed up every day, for years and years, and did what they were supposed to. And the great institutions were built, inch by inch, painstakingly.

Yes for sure there were good leaders who gave direction, but in my opinion that's just one part of the game - perhaps 10-20%. Long-term success depends on good-quality followers, not just great leaders.

See if you have good quality followers, the leader's vision of growth is followed well, executed well, down the ranks, throughout the organisation. (There are many leaders who don't have a vision, unfortunately, but that's another story.)

It's like a great football team, understand? The captain is not important beyond a point, when the game starts - it's the CULTURE OF EXCELLENCE that the followers practice that makes them win. We have seen teams of great players fail often, haven't we? Same with corporate life.

Another thing. While most leaders have a mandate for immediate/short-term success, it's only visionary leaders that can build a culture of excellence, which belongs to the followers - owned and followed by the followers that is.

I have been lucky to work for some great leaders: I was a very good follower, and continue to be so. Yes I am a leader too, I was/am responsible for various output areas, I have to inspire and perspire; but all that's because I have excellent follower qualities I picked up over the decades. (I goofed up a few times also.)

Finally, in the new world of AI and ubiquitous tech, leadership will not be a great virtue, followership will. Roles will not be as defined as they were, there will be much blurring. You will lead certain projects, and follow in others. Are you ready?

So get rid of this leadership obsession. Be a learner/follower who can thrive in multiple situations, multiple cultures, keeping core work values intact.

This article is a thought starter, I am not a management expert and have no desire to be one. Yes, organisations need leaders - nobody is disputing that. My point is the followers are often overlooked and that's not a wise thing.