What makes a good follower?
When we talk about leadership, there is bound to be a mention at least on "followers".
No, I don't mean the ones that "likes" and "shares" your Facebook status. I'm talking about the antonym of "leader".
Here at Access Ideas Malaysia we have a "team engagement model" that lays out the relationship and required competencies of both leaders and followers.
However, the question still remains - What makes a good follower?
For leaders, there are many training programs out there (we also have our own signature leadership training program), but not many provide training on how to become a good follower.
Here in Malaysia, it is very common for organizations to have one option for each - "leadership programs" for those in leader roles; and "motivation programs" for non-leader roles. Is there a need for other options? It doesn't seem to be a priority (note: Maybe I should do a survey on that in the near future.)
If there was ever a need for such training program for followers, I normally prefer to look at the fundamentals.
So, before designing a training program for followers, I went to my "trusted" circle of Facebook friends to check their inputs on what is the more important character of a follower - being obedient or being responsible? And here are the results.
The results are clear as day - being responsible is more important than being obedient.
Although some may argue that "being responsible" is the quality of a leader, I believe people want the followers to also be responsible for their own action - take charge and be accountable. Quite a number also left a comment as to "being blindly obedient" is not preferable.
In conclusion
Not everybody wants to be a leader. Some can be good followers. The roles complement each other and a solid team needs both playing their roles well. Being a follower does not mean you can sit back and be a passenger in the bus - a team does not function like that. A team is more like a dragon boat - if you are in it, you need to paddle too! Dead weight doesn't win races.
As the result of the survey shows, a majority wants responsible followers. So the next question is.. how do you develop "responsible followers"? Especially when the existing systems and structures seems to rewards those who show that they are more of the "obedient followers" type. I shall save that discussion for another day. :)
Fauzan is the Head Trainer of Access Ideas (M) Sdn. Bhd. He has been conducting team engagement programs for various organizations for the past 10 years. He has written books on experiential learning activities and application of gamification in training and at the work place. During his spare time, Fauzan loves a good game of Monopoly with this wife and kids.
