Why "Followership" is of Massive Importance for your Organization

We talk a lot about leadership in our executive coaching and business consulting practice here at the 3-Pillars Performance Group . It's at the core of our business in terms of helping leaders optimize their performance, to grow and to have a bigger impact on their businesses as well as their communities.

But...there's the other side of the coin too. The fact of the matter is that every leader must have followers, and the more effective and capable people are at being followers, the better the results will be.

This crucial dynamic is known as 'followership'.

All leaders start off as followers, and the skills and experiences they acquire as followers lend themselves to the type of leader they'll eventually become. Let's explore why 'followership' is so important and what it means in the context of achieving better results in every aspect of live where teamwork is important.

FIRST... WHAT IS FOLLOWERSHIP?

Followership refers to the act of effectively following a leader or being part of a team by contributing and supporting the goals and objectives of the leader or the group. It is the counterpart to leadership and focuses on the role of individuals who are not in formal leadership positions but play a crucial role in the success of a team, organization, or community.

WHY IS FOLLOWERSHIP IMPORTANT?

1. Collaboration and teamwork: Effective followership fosters collaboration and teamwork within a group. It involves actively participating, cooperating, and supporting others in achieving shared goals. Strong followership promotes synergy and helps create a positive and productive work environment.
2. Support for leaders: Followership involves providing support and assistance to leaders. It includes following instructions, implementing decisions, and offering feedback and constructive criticism when necessary. By actively supporting leaders, followers contribute to the overall success of the team or organization.
3. Adaptability and flexibility: Good followership requires individuals to be adaptable and flexible in response to changing circumstances. They must be willing to adjust their actions and approaches to align with the goals and directions set by the leader. This adaptability helps organizations remain agile and responsive to challenges and opportunities.
4. Accountability and responsibility: Effective followership entails taking accountability for one's actions and responsibilities. Followers are expected to fulfill their assigned tasks, meet deadlines, and contribute to the collective effort. By being accountable, followers contribute to a culture of reliability and trust within the team or organization.
5. Leadership development: Followership plays a crucial role in leadership development. Many leaders begin their journey as followers, learning valuable skills, observing leadership styles, and understanding the dynamics of effective teamwork. Developing strong followership abilities can provide individuals with the necessary experience and insights to become effective leaders in the future.
6. Critical thinking and independent judgment: Followership does not mean blindly following orders. Effective followers are encouraged to engage in critical thinking, ask questions, and offer input based on their expertise and experience. This constructive engagement helps leaders make better decisions and improves overall team performance.

When it comes to teamwork and delivering successful results, effective followership goes hand in hand with leadership. When team members understand and embrace their role in the leadership/followership dynamic and deliver according to their expectations the results can be outstanding.

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Troy Jacobson is a Managing Partner at the 3-Pillars Performance Group , a business consultancy and executive coaching firm based in Southern Arizona. Reach out for more information and to schedule a free consultation at [email protected]