Followership: Developing Great Followers Creates Great Leaders

While leadership often garners the spotlight, it’s important to recognize that effective followership is equally crucial to an organization’s success. As the saying goes, "A leader without followers is simply taking a walk." Leadership may get the glory, but without strong, voluntary followership, leadership has no impact. Developing new leaders requires good followers who are just as invested in the mission.

But not everyone needs to be a leader. In fact, many people find fulfillment in followership, and they should. Great followers support leaders, influence decisions, and drive progress from the ground up. Followership isn't about subordination—it's about choice, mission, and shared purpose.

The Role of the First Follower

One of the most telling examples of the power of followership is the role of the “first follower.” As highlighted in a famous, humorous video of a man dancing alone in a field, the crazy man remains just that—crazy—until his first follower joins in. This brave individual validates the leader’s actions, turning what seemed chaotic into something organized. With that first follower, others join, and a movement is born. This concept emphasizes that true followership is voluntary, and it’s the followers who can shape the trajectory of a leader’s success.

Choosing Whom to Follow

The most critical decision a follower can make is choosing whom to follow and why. Whether it’s a leader fighting for a high-purpose mission like eliminating polio or someone modeling values like compassion and integrity, followers must align with the leader’s vision. This is where mission-driven followership differs from those based on rank, power, or survival. Mission-driven followers are passionate about contributing to a cause greater than themselves, which leads to personal fulfillment.

Followership Provides Fulfillment

Followers are not just passive participants; they are active contributors. According to a Gallup study of over 10,000 followers, the four basic needs they seek in leaders are trust, compassion, stability, and hope. These qualities are essential for creating a supportive environment where followers feel valued. When these needs are met, followers feel empowered and fulfilled because they are contributing to something meaningful, working in a system where their efforts are recognized and respected.

A fulfilled follower is also a loyal one, playing a crucial role in an organization’s success. It’s a misconception to think that only leaders deserve to feel fulfilled—followers, by choosing the right leader and mission, create impact and shape the outcomes of their organizations.

Be Humble to Be Strong

Humility is a core trait of effective followership, as it allows individuals to recognize their role in supporting a leader and the larger mission. Great followers put the success of the team ahead of personal recognition, embracing a mindset of contribution rather than control. By practicing humility, followers help create a culture of trust and collaboration, where leadership can thrive, and organizational goals can be achieved.

Becoming a Great Follower

Great followership requires intentionality. Here’s how to cultivate it:

• Trust in Leadership: Select leaders who align with your values and mission. Trust is a cornerstone in both leadership and followership. Without it, the foundation crumbles.
• Mission Over Ego: Shift focus from “What can this leader do for me?” to “What can I do for this mission?” When you prioritize a higher goal, followership becomes more about contribution than obligation.
• Be Engaged: Good followers are active, not passive. They provide feedback, hold leaders accountable, and help improve processes. This engagement enhances both personal and organizational growth.
• Know When to Lead: Even great leaders need to be followers at times. Leadership and followership are two sides of the same coin. Strong organizations require leaders who are willing to follow when necessary.

Fulfillment comes from Followership

While not everyone is meant to be a leader, everyone can be a great follower. The fulfillment that comes from followership is rooted in purpose and contribution. When followers choose the right leader and commit to the mission, they play an indispensable role in the success of any organization. Leadership may start the journey, but without great followership, there is no destination.

Citing Kofi Annan: "If you don’t have relationship, you start from zero each time." Followership, much like leadership, is built on trust, compassion, and shared purpose—traits that shape both the leader and the follower in profound ways.

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