Followership Essays - Leadership, , Term Papers

Followership Definition: The concept of followership has existed for many decades and is defined as the willingness or capacity to support a leader. Summary: The concept of leadership has received a lot of attention in recent times after realization that the concepts of followership and leadership are tightly intertwined which is changing the training nature of these concepts. In previous times leaders were taken to be the elite class while followers were seen as individuals who did not have any achievements. Leadership has been romanticized and focused on so much leaving a deficit in developing good followership skills among employees. However, due to the increased access of employees to business related data the leader is not the ultimate reliable source of information and employees (followers) therefore have become just as important as the leaders. There may exist an imbalance of power between the two groups but influence can be exerted in both roles and therefore leadership is not complete if we fail to recognize the unity with followership. Discussion: It is important to examine the organizational inspiration and atmosphere and in addition the duty level of employees. For example, a manger may assess his/her representatives in a bid to understand their standpoints that propel the organization to be more effective in achieving its objectives. One model of effective followership is outlined in Kelley's model. The model approaches different styles of followership by adopting two behavioral dimensions. The first dimension assesses how followers think basically and freely. The other dimension evaluates the engagement level whether uninvolved or dynamic in the association. A good follower defends and supports their leader. Additionally they possess the strength to tell their leader when he/she does something incorrectly. Being a good follower develops a person into a good leader because they will have a better understanding of the requirements of his/her followers. The concept of followership has an integral role to play in achieving goals for any group task. However, this was previously overlooked and more emphasis placed on prominence leadership. Attributes of leadership were widely advertised with all the active fragments of accomplishment while followers (employees) were viewed as dispensable elements. Bill Gates may have received all the accolades for developing Microsoft but he may never have achieved any growth had he been deprived of his followers who worked tirelessly behind the scenes for him. Doctors all around the world would not carry out their tasks effectively without the support of their staff (followers) who do not occupy expert positions in the hospitals. In conclusion, if people, companies and organizations would view the followership idea and take up the responsibility of the techniques of developing great followers, they will boost the relationship between leaders and followers and institute a fruitful hierarchical change. Some writers still don't consider followership to be of great importance but there are those who consider it to be vital in any leadership procedures. It is very easy to view followership as simply employees following instructions of their leaders and doing what they are told, however, it entails more than this. Followers supplement the qualities of their leaders, sometimes cover their shortcomings and work freely in line with their leaders' mentality and drive. Leaders command more influence and attention than followers, but followers can affect or constrain the activities of their leaders in more than just a passive way. Moreover, qualities that define good leaders such as competence, dependability and honesty are also included in the desirable qualities of good followers. Biblical Perspective: In Hebrews 13:7-17 the bible teaches us to be good followers. God avails his leadership directly to us through the Holy Spirit and the Bible and also through human leaders. Although God alone is the ultimate authority, he delegates His authority through people in different roles such as governing authorities, church leaders, employers, husbands and parents. All through the New Testament Christians are encouraged to relate respectfully with to the delegated authorities. Furthermore in Mt. 7:15-20 Jesus warned us to be wary of counterfeit leaders who lead God's people astray. Almost every letter in the New Testament warns us of such leaders.