Leadership - Why People Follow

It is often taken for granted that leadership is about leaders who are leading followers in the organization to great heights of achievements. Successful business leaders must be skilled practitioners of critical thinking, strategy, communications, as well as executing a vision, developing effective teams and best practices within a global context. In the global marketplace, many of the qualities that make a good leader also make an ideal follower.

There is a clear relationship which takes place between leaders and followers. The dynamic, which forms the relationship is essential to the function of both parties. A leader could have many followers or subordinates in the workplace but if the leader is not respected or accepted that means nothing. Without followers, leaders would not exist.

Interestingly, great leaders and great followers share these characteristics:

• Empathy:  Leaders need to be able to feel the pain of those they lead. Followers will follow enthusiastically when leaders are accessible and willing to listen. Conversely, followers must have the courage stand up to leaders when they are headed in the wrong direction.
• Credibility: Great leaders take full accountability when their team fails. Followers support their colleagues; any lack of respect will cause resentment and even rebellion. Staying focused on executing the vision helps the entire team reach the pinnacle of success.
• Confidence: Leaders who can articulate a vision and strategic plan in clear language can help followers harness disparate resources to interpret the vision and build a path to success. Leaders who have been good followers understand how to work with people to bring out the best in them.
• Ambition and Vision: Successful leaders drive the vision forward clearing a path for those who follow. Followers extract every value from each opportunity, and are attracted to the possibility of new things, especially if they bring with them the promise of reward.

Wrapping it up

Leaders exist at every level in every organization, exhibiting many of the leadership qualities listed above, and more. There are other leadership qualities that followers may not be called upon to display, but the effectiveness of leaders depends on the qualities of their followers. Leadership can be taught, and many organizations are cultivating effective followers by instituting training programs and leaderless environments. Being engaged, paying attention and the meeting of values synergizes into a powerful dynamic.