1. Followship: Learning to Walk before you can Run

2. Objectives Introduction to followship – what is it all about?
Respect for Authority
Attitude
Integrity
Listening
Self-Discipline
Being a ‘Good Cadet’

3. Introduction to Followship
Not a real word – but it should be!
A school of thought which implies that in order to lead well, you must first be able to follow well
‘The art of following a leader’

4. We are all followers
All but a very few of us are followers in one form or another
Eh?...well, think about it in terms of the ATC and the Royal Air Force…

5. 123 (Anytown) Squadron
Flt Sgt
Sgt
Cpl
Cadets
(You)

6. 123 (Anytown) Squadron
Flt Lt
ASgt
Plt Off
AWO

7. We are all followers… Commandant Air Cadets (Air Commodore XXX)
Squadron Commander
(Flt Lt XXX)
Commandant Air Cadets
(Air Commodore XXX)
Regional Commandant
(Gp Cpt XXX)
Wing Commander
(Wg Cdr XXX)

8. We are all followers… Chief of the Defence Staff
Personnel and Training Command
(Air Marshal XXX)
Chief of the Defence Staff
(Air Chief Marshal XXX)
Chief of the Air Staff
(Air Chief Marshal XXX)

9. We are all followers…
The ATC has a rank structure – Cadets follow NCOs
NCOs follow ASNCOs & Officers
Squadron Officers follow Squadron Commanders
School teachers follow head teachers
John Prescott follows Tony Blair
Tony Blair follows George Bush

10. Being a good follower
So what is required to be able to follow effectively?:
Respect for Authority
Attitude
Integrity
Listening
Self-Discipline
Don’t go off the RAILS

11. Respect for Authority
By joining the ATC as a cadet you are entering into an oath which states that you will:
Obey ATC regulations e.g. AP 1919, ACP 20B, ACP 19 etc
Obey orders given to you by those appointed to positions of authority above you e.g. NCOs, ASNCOs & Officers
How do you respect authority?
Have you ever disrespected authority???

12. Attitude The key to a good attitude is understanding
For instance, understanding authority, training, or activities
Knowledge of “the system” brings about a good attitude
A cadet must understand the activities and requirements of the ATC

13. Attitude Examples of Good Attitude within the ATC…
A cadet who pays compliments to officers
A cadet who is committed
A cadet who honours their commitments
A cadet who keeps a good standard of appearance
A cadet who has a good bearing
A cadet with a good standard of drill
A cadet with a positive outlook
A helpful cadet
Somebody who does something without being asked

14. Attitude
A thoughtful cadet understands that these are necessary steps in military training that have been thought out and tested over many centuries in Her Majesty’s Armed Forces
An example of a cadet with a good attitude could be…
An example of a cadet with a bad attitude could be…

15. Integrity
What is it?
Honour - ‘reputation, self-perception or moral identity of an individual’
Sticking to a code of conduct
A fine sense of ethics, justice, and ‘rightness’ coupled with the ability to apply it to your own conduct first
Trustworthiness
Dependability – doing any task asked of you from start to finish to a high standard

16. Integrity
When you have integrity, your conscience and character insist you treat others as well as you treat yourself – with respect
Self respect is gained by having integrity and will fill you with both moral and physical courage
Integrity empowers you to do the right thing even though it may be very hard to do it
It also empowers you to be selfless instead of selfish
Honesty, trustworthiness, dependability and loyalty are characteristics that are expected and required of leaders and followers alike

17. You see one of your mates stealing from the Squadron canteen.
Examples of Integrity
Scenario:
You see one of your mates stealing from the Squadron canteen.
What do you do?

18. Examples of Integrity Scenario:
You see a non-uniformed member of staff stealing from the Squadron canteen.
What do you do?

19. Examples of Integrity Scenario:
You see a uniformed member of staff stealing from the Squadron canteen.
What do you do?

20. Examples of Integrity Scenario:
You hear that one of your friends has been taking illegal drugs whilst on duty at the Squadron.
What do you do?

21. Examples of Integrity Scenario:
You hear that one of your friends has been taking illegal drugs whilst away from the Squadron.
What do you do?

22. Listening Good listeners:
Keep an open mind – do not allow your personal feelings to interfere with accepting new ideas which may prove better
Listen to understand, not to argue or challenge – argue, challenge or doubt only after you have heard the whole story
Listen to what the speaker says not how well they say it – they may have a great idea but might not express it well
Take notes with care – do not focus just on your notes as you will miss things
Make and hold eye contact – this will show the speaker that you care about what they are saying
Keep your feelings positive – it will help you to accept new ideas
Listen to good ideas and pass on credit when you pass these good ideas on

23. Listening As a follower (and as a leader), listening is a must
It helps you understand what others mean when they are trying to help you

24. Self-Discipline
You do a task because you see that it needs to be done, not because you are told to do it
You show self-discipline when you complete necessary tasks even when they are unpleasant

25. Self-Discipline Examples of self-discipline:
Sorting your uniform out before a parade night
Picking up litter around the Squadron as you see it and putting it in the bin instead of just walking past it
Complying to regulations of the ATC without having to be told e.g. paying compliments to officers
Completing your allocated tasks to the highest standards without having to be told to

26. Followship: Being a ‘Good Cadet’
With the contents of this presentation in mind, a good cadet:
Respects authority by:
Paying compliments to commissioned officers of Her Majesty’s Armed Forces
Addressing cadet NCOs, adult SNCOs and officers correctly
Not being flippant or discourteous when NCOs, A/SNCOs and officers are asking you to complete tasks
Has a good attitude by:
Taking all training elements equally seriously and understanding their importance
Selling the ideals of the Corps through their actions e.g. behaving correctly when in public – painting a good image of the Squadron
Being positive in their outlook on all of the activities that the ATC has to offer

27. Followship: Being a ‘Good Cadet’
With the contents of this presentation in mind, a good cadet:
Shows integrity by:
Doing the right thing
Honours their commitments to the Squadron and the Corps
Being reliable by completing assigned tasks to the highest standard
Being trustworthy in their actions
Shows Self-Discipline by:
Preparing their uniform to the highest standards for every parade night, not just some
Being punctual to events and turns out in the correct uniform with all of the required kit list
Filling out their 3822 with all of the events they attend and getting events signed off by the staff
Taking on and completing tasks even if they may be unpleasant
Demonstrates listening skills by:
Paying attention in all activities
Accepting new ideas or points of view before questioning them

28. Summary
A good cadet will demonstrate all of the facets of good followship
You must be an effective follower in order to grow into an effective leader – the two are interdependent
Junior leaders (i.e. cadet NCOs) need good followers in order to properly follow their leaders above them (i.e. A/SNCOs & officers)
Followship allows you to walk effectively before being able to run efficiently!

29. Any questions?