Leadership

Followership Matters

6 ways to grow leadership capacity through followership

Following our leader during times of change

The best leaders also know when to follow. As we develop into leaders that others desire to follow, we demonstrate our maturity by how we behave when we receive a new direction.

Changes affect us all; including our organizations.

We may not completely understand the reasons and rationale behind some changes. Our response will affect our teams for good or ill.

Individuals desiring to increase their leadership capacity practice followership by modeling behaviors they want to instill in their followers.

Below 6 ways to grow as a leader through practicing great followership.

1) Trust the leader

People leading us are there for a reason. Most have been able to achieve something we haven’t. This means we provide counsel and support their right and responsibility to make decisions affecting the group. Submitting to authority works best when we choose to trust they have the best interest of the team and organization in mind. With few exceptions that is the case.

2) Understand the time frame

Most direction change takes longer than a day to implement. Further, it might take some time to fully understand how to execute. Acting immediately could be a mistake. Some leaders may refine the directive based on the feedback they receive.

3) Offer leadership our best

Offer our best counsel on moving the team from here to there. We have a responsibility to our teams and our leaders to share our thoughts and provide options on how to get where they want to go. There may also be an opportunity to help reduce risks associated with the change.

Anyone can steer the ship, but it takes a leader to chart the course ~ John Maxwell

4) Moving the team

Even if we have the best relationship and trust in our team, moving them may not always be easy. We should approach the team openly, communicate the change, listen, and set the new course. The map to get to the new destination may require further development. Activate the team in ways that produce positive energy and find ways for them to influence the path to take.

5) Offer praise frequently

Celebrate team achievements along the way. Many of us forget to do this and it hurts team morale. Acknowledging what they are doing and have done is extremely important. Often, they feel less certain and benefit from our affirmation reminding them the team is on course and what they do matters.

6) Thank the leader

Along the way, it is important that we also affirm our leader. Few leaders have the courage to make tough decisions at the right times to move the organization to a better place. Many never do and leave the team and organization to suffer until a new leader comes and initiates the needed course correction. Showing appreciation for our leaders is a behavior our teams need to see from us.

Last thoughts

Change is certain. How we follow our leader during these times provides an opportunity for us to increase our influence. Strengthening our leaders is critical in our own development. As we grow we also show our peers and followers what it looks like to become a leader others want to follow.

Shepherding: The art of becoming the leader others want to follow