Followership CDR Tim Quinn Fall 2007

What is Followership?

Followership Ability to place organization ahead of personal ambition Allegiance and loyalty up and down the chain of command Ability to recognize they share responsibility to help organization succeed Ability to know when and how to challenge the status quo Loyalty is to the institution not necessarily the people

Why is Followership Important? Why important? – Followers are potential leaders – Effective followers exhibit the same traits as leaders – Most leaders are also Followers – Effective followers exhibit similar characteristics of leaders – Followers influence leaders as well

of Effective Followers? Qualities/traits of Effective Followers?

Traits/Qualities Dependability Loyalty Bearing Forcefulness Humility Maturity Humility Courage Integrity Judgment Tact Enthusiasm Humor Knowledge Decisiveness Self-Discipline Initiative Perseverance/Will Flexibility Justice Selflessness Confidence Compassion/Empathy Followership Endurance

Message to Garcia What is the message?

Follower Styles Five styles, categorized by two dimensions Independent/critical thinking vs. Dependent/uncritical thinking Active vs. Passive behavior Independent/Critical Thinking: – Aware of the significance of their own actions and the actions of others – Weigh impacts of decisions on vision – Offer constructive criticism, creativity and innovation Dependent/Uncritical Thinking: – Does not consider possibilities beyond what he/she is told – Does not contribute to improvement – Accepts leaders ideas w/out thinking Active: – Full participation – Goes above and beyond – Sense of ownership – Initiates problem-solving/decision-making Passive: – Requires constant supervision/prodding – Only what’s required – Avoids added responsibility

Follower Styles Active Passive Independent, Critical Thinking Alienated Effective Passive Conformist Active Pragmatic Survivor Passive Alienated Effective - Capable, but focused on shortcomings of organization and other people - Courage to initiate/assume risk Cynical - Serve best interest of org - Don’t help - Critical for effective org - Bad Attitude Passive Conformist - Do what they are told but need a lot of supervision - Carries out any and all orders; No critical thinking - Leave thinking to leaders Willing (“Go along to get along”) - Conflict avoidance Pragmatic Survivor Characteristics of all four Picks whatever style best to benefit HIS position and minimize risk - 25-25% of followers Dependent, Uncritical Thinking

Role of the Follower Assume Responsibility: Serve: Challenge: Personal responsibility (Behavior and actions) Ownership in organization/mission Serve: Discern needs and actively meet them Serve others OVER themselves Challenge: Do not sell mission or integrity to buy harmony/peace Transform: The group’s future is your future Confront changes and work to improve or reshape organization

What Followers Want To be led, not controlled Feeling of significance “I really matter” Community Unity of purpose and a willingness to relate to others as human beings Challenge and excitement Synergy – combined energy that occurs when people work together to create new alternatives and solutions

Followership – Things to Consider Leaders are also followers The most effective follower is the one whose goal is to be a future leader Without dedicated followers, there can be no effective leaders Being an effective follower is not automatic Requires a high degree of self-discipline

Questions?

What is empowerment and why is it important? For next time… What is empowerment and why is it important? Empowerment