7 Lessons From Kellerman

‘Followership’

---

What is the importance of followers in an organisation? What is their role in organisational success? Here are 7 simplified lessons from “Followership” by Barbara Kellerman.

---

1. 🤝 Followers are just as important as leaders: Followers play a crucial role in organizational success and can influence the direction and actions of the leader. For example, if an employee is not satisfied with their job, they may be less productive and ultimately affect the performance of the entire team.

2. 🧑‍🤝‍🧑 Different types of followers exist: Followers can be divided into five main categories based on their level of engagement, commitment, and support for their leader. These include isolates, bystanders, participants, activists, and diehards.

3. 🤨 Critical thinking is key: Followers who are able to think critically and question their leader’s decisions can help prevent groupthink and ensure that the organization is making sound decisions. For instance, if a group of employees is tasked with a challenging project, they should feel able to discuss their ideas and question the project’s feasibility with their manager.

4. 📢 Effective communication is important: Followers must be able to communicate effectively with their leader and with one another to ensure that everyone is on the same page. For example, if a supervisor notices that the team has missed a deadline, they should communicate with the team members to understand why and determine a solution.

5. 🛡️ Courageous followers can improve organisations: Followers who are willing to take risks and speak up when necessary can make a significant difference in improving their organisation and leaders. For instance, an employee who identifies an unethical behaviour can raise the issue to higher level managers, potentially preventing harm to the organisation.

6. Followers must be adaptable: Followers must be able to adapt to changes in the organisation and environment to support their leader and ensure the success of their team. For example, if an organisation undergoes a restructuring, employees may need to adapt to new team members, reporting lines and strategies.

7. 🌟 Followership is a skill and can be developed: Followership is a skill that can be learned and improved, and it is a crucial component of leadership. Training and development programs can help employees develop their Followership skills and become more effective team players.

Overall, Kellerman’s “Followership” highlights the importance of followers in organisational success and encourages critical thinking, effective communication, adaptability and courage in their actions. By improving their followership skills, employees can become effective team players who contribute to the success of their organisations.

---

For more lessons, click here>>