What is "Followership"?

Today, I am going to give my own definition. I am not talking about following trends, obsessing about a brand, or watching what celebrities do. I am talking about following a leader.

Last week, I had a one-on-one with an Engineering leader I work with. This leader and I hit it off immediately after I started with the firm. He was kind enough to reach out, welcome me, and offer to help me onboard. He and I were chatting about leadership, and he raised an interesting, valid, and perhaps controversial point. It was this... If a senior leader joins a new firm, they should have people that follow them to the firm. If they don't have followers, that says a lot about the leader.

When I think about leaders that I've witnessed have "followership," a few names come to mind. I immediately think of Heather Carroll Cox . I am still so jazzed by witnessing her followership when she became Chief Technology and Digital Officer at USAA. So many amazing leaders joined her. And Anoop Warrier , one of my favorite leaders of all time, saw me as more than an employee. He saw me as a person. He gave me tough problems to solve and empowered me to forge my path. He gave me guidance, guardrails, and autonomy which made me want to follow him wherever he went! And, of course, Karen Leever , then SVP of DIRECTV who led large and complex parts of our business with grace and curiosity. She always wanted to understand the how and why behind things and always made us feel valued even as junior team members. No wonder she had folks follow her from DIRECTV to Discovery.

As my colleague and I discussed this, I reflected on my career and the fortune I've had that folks wanted to follow me from one organization to another. From DIRECTV to USAA, from USAA to H&R Block, and from H&R Block to Clearcover... With all of these moves, I have been blessed to have folks join me on my journey. This speaks to more than just my leadership skills. It speaks to attracting people with growth mindsets that are hungry for new challenges and are ambitious. Some individuals changed roles for a broader position, potential opportunities in the future, or for financial gain. (I realize I am so lucky to have been able to help them with this.)

Is that the only reason I have "followership?" I don't think so... While I realize that I am imperfect, I also know that I try every day to be a better leader. At my core, I care deeply about the people I work with. I love my teammates. I want the best for them. And I try every single day not to get mired in politics and instead to focus on teamwork. I try to grow and support my team members and be as authentic as humanly possible while still maintaining optimism (some days that is harder than others!).

As cheesy as it sounds, I look at The San Antonio Spurs as excellent examples of what teams and leaders look like. (I am originally from San Antonio; it's in my blood!) Achievements should never be about putting one individual on a pedestal. If you're desperate for the spotlight and to be the "smartest person in the room," you may need to look within. That's different from what delivers followership and, ultimately, success. Success comes from recognizing what the team can do together.

If you're stepping into leadership for the first time, I am so happy for you. Some words of advice: Do not try to provide solutions. The best leaders listen more than they speak. They have strong opinions, loosely held. They ask thought-provoking questions but do not interrogate. They support and empower.

Being a leader is one of the hardest yet most rewarding jobs in the world. If you focus on the humans you're supporting, you will do well. I am rooting for you!