Followership

Karin Klinger Baylor University

Followership
What do you think of when you hear the word Follower?  In what arenas of your life are you a follower?

 We

are all followers. Not all of us are leaders. But all of us are followers in some arena of our lives.

Followership


What do we want to accomplish today?

 Understanding the

role of your followers/members  Understanding the complexities of leading people  Respecting the power that members/followers have in our organizations

"The final test of a leader is that he leaves behind him in other men the conviction and the will to carry on." ~ Walter Lippmann

Followership


What are some of the challenges you face with your membership?

Followership
Group Development  Tuckman, 1965
 Forming

Purpose & goals may be unclear Varying degrees of commitment Members are cautious, dont initiate, & avoid responsibility Members are dependent on directive leadership "Leadership is the art of getting someone else to do something you want done because he wants to do it." ~ Dwight D Eisenhower

Followership


Group Development (Tuckman, 1965)



Forming

 Storming

Differences arise over goals and roles, direction & control Members react with counterproductive behaviors Organization is uncertain about how to deal with issues Communication issues arise Members act from independent stance

Followership


Group Development (Tuckman, 1965)

Forming  Storming


 Norming

Sense of momentum as organization gains confidence Infrastructure is developed Relationships are built with external stakeholders Interdependent relationship-building within membership The ultimate leader is one who is willing to develop people to the point that they eventually surpass him or her in knowledge and ability. ~ Fred A. Manske, Jr.

Followership


Group Development (Tuckman, 1965)

Forming  Storming  Norming


 Performing

Members take responsibility Tasks, goals, etc. are accomplished with satisfaction Members are proactive Membership moves easily through stages

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Group Development (Tuckman, 1965)

Forming  Storming  Norming  Performing


 Adjourning

Though this stage refers to the termination of a group and organizations rarely encounter thisit is important! Why? "The wicked leader is he who the people despise. The
good leader is he who the people revere. The great leader is he who the people say, 'We did it ourselves.' ~ Lao-Tzu

Followership


How would you categorize your organizations group dynamics based on Tuckmans stages?
  

Forming Norming Adjourning

 

Storming Performing

Nowwhat can you do with this information?



Action steps for moving your organization

Followership
Valuing the Follower (Member)
People rise to your expectationsso increase your expectations of your members!  Your organization is built upon a common purpose use it to develop a sense of shared ownership
 "Leaders are the ones who keep faith with the past, keep step with the present and keep the promise to posterity. ~ Harold J. Seymore

Followership
Valuing the Follower (Member)


The best organizations are humble its not about you as a leader its about the organization
 Share

your successesand your failures

Create a culture of Courageous Followership

Followership
Creating a Culture of Courageous Followership
(Chaleff, 1995)


The Five Dimensions of Courageous Followership

1. The courage to assume responsibility

As a leader, you must give opportunities to your members to assume responsibility! Delegate, pass on ownership, listen, and recognize themake people feel that they're at the "Good leaders contributions of your members very heart of things, not at the periphery. Everyone feels that he or she makes a difference to the success of the organization. When that happens people feel centered and that gives their work meaning. ~ Warren Bennis

Followership
Creating a Culture of Courageous Followership
(Chaleff, 1995)


The Five Dimensions of Courageous Followership

1. The courage to assume responsibility

2. The courage to serve

Give your members opportunities to work hard! Provide ever increasing expectations so your members can increase their investment in and ownership of the organization

Followership
Creating a Culture of Courageous Followership
(Chaleff, 1995)


The Five Dimensions of Courageous Followership

1. The courage to assume responsibility 2. The courage to serve

3. The courage to challenge

Give your members a voice and listen intently to their feedback! Give them the freedom to question you and challenge your choices Follower is not a term of weakness,  Note of caution: you may hear things that you wont like! Thats but the condition that permits okay! Just be sure that your members question and challenge you in appropriate circumstances andto exist andrespect! strength. leadership always with gives it ~ Ira Chaleff

Followership
Creating a Culture of Courageous Followership
(Chaleff, 1995)


The Five Dimensions of Courageous Followership

1. The courage to assume responsibility 2. The courage to serve 3. The courage to challenge

4. The courage to participate in transformation

Your members will likely be in a position to recognize the need for change long before you will as a leader! Be open to their call for change and transformation!

Followership
Creating a Culture of Courageous Followership
(Chaleff, 1995)


The Five Dimensions of Courageous Followership

1. 2. 3. 4. The courage to assume responsibility The courage to serve The courage to challenge The courage to participate in transformation
"Motivation is everything. You can do the work of two people, but you can't be two people. Instead, you have to inspire the next guy down the line and get him to inspire his people." ~ Lee Iacocca

5. The courage to leave

Followership
Questions? Thanks for being here! Karin Klinger
Student Activities SUB, First Floor 254-710-2371 www.baylor.edu/student_activities