Followership and Leadership: Two Sides of the Same Coin

Welcome to this edition of Our Stable Mind, your refuge in an unstable world. This month, we continue the conversation we began in our last newsletter on wise leadership. Leadership, as we explored, is about making decisions that are not only effective but also ethical and inclusive. In this edition, we turn the coin to examine its other side: ‘followership’.

Leadership and followership are inseparable. Like two sides of a coin, their value comes from their interdependence. Together, they shape the resilience of organisations and societies. Let’s explore how these two forces work in harmony and why neither can succeed without the other.

The Dynamic Relationship

Effective leadership flourishes with active and aware followership. Research by Kelley (1992) emphasises followership as a proactive contribution toward shared goals. Followers provide constructive feedback, challenge assumptions, and enhance decision-making. Without their engaged participation, leadership risks becoming unbalanced and ineffective.

This interplay works both ways. Engaged followers ensure leaders are accountable and aligned with collective values, while good leaders empower followers, fostering trust and innovation. This symbiotic relationship is at the heart of organisational resilience and adaptability.

Why It Matters

The consequences of weak leadership-followership dynamics are stark. A staggering 34% of employees cite poor leadership relationships as the reason for leaving their roles. Often, this disconnect stems from a lack of understanding on both sides. Leadership that appears uncaring can erode trust, while followers who fail to voice concerns miss the opportunity to correct course.

Followers can be transformative when they recognize and address poor leadership styles, including challenging dynamics like narcissistic leadership. A shared focus on dialogue and accountability can rebuild trust and propel organisations forward.

Cultivating Strong Followership

Empowered followers are stewards of shared goals. They exhibit emotional intelligence, take ownership of their roles, and contribute meaningfully to their teams. Research underscores that organisations prioritising followership cultivate cultures of trust, adaptability, and innovation.

Practical steps to nurture this dynamic include:

• Creating platforms for open dialogue.
• Encouraging reflection on shared goals.
• Training for critical thinking and collaboration.

By investing in followership, leaders release the potential for mutual growth and success.

Leadership and Followership in Action: A Film That Inspires

This month, we review the acclaimed film Hotel Rwanda. Set during the Rwandan Genocide, it showcases the extraordinary interplay between ethical leadership and active followership. Paul Rusesabagina’s story highlights how trust, accountability, and courage on both sides can achieve remarkable outcomes even in the darkest times.

Read the Full Review Here.

Take Action: Strengthen the Bond

To explore this further, we’ve developed a white paper on Understanding Narcissistic Leadership, offering tools to navigate and enhance followership in challenging environments. Additionally, our reflection exercises are designed to help teams assess and improve their leadership-followership dynamic.

Read the White Paper

Access Reflection Exercises

At Our Stable Mind, we believe that leadership and followership are not separate forces but interlocking pieces that create lasting value. A coin with one side has no worth—only together can they deliver the resilience and progress organisations and societies need to thrive.

If you would like help applying these ideas, or a chat? - book a call. We would love to hear from you.?

Warm regards,

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