Leading or Walking Alone? The Power of Followership in Success
Bobby not yet in deep water … but heading that way!
"If you think you are a leader, turn around and no one is following you, then you're simply out for a walk!"
Leadership. It’s one of those topics that takes centre stage in every conversation about success. It dominates books, articles, podcasts, TED Talks—you name it. But in the rush to glorify leadership, I wonder, are we overlooking something equally important?
Yes, we are. We’re missing followership—a crucial factor in the equation of success.
This isn’t a new concept. If I reflect on military doctrine, I’m reminded of Field Marshal Slim and his experience during the Burma Campaign in World War II. His transformational leadership wasn’t about coercing or commanding; he created active followers—people who were empowered to think and act on their own. They weren’t passive; they were engaged.
More recently, I stumbled across Derek Sivers’ brilliant (and super short!) TED Talk on how a leader is made by the first follower. The message is clear: a leader without followers really is just out for a walk—or, as Sivers says, “a lone nut.” If you haven’t seen it yet, take three minutes to watch—it’s a game-changer.
Watching that talk hit home for me: leadership and followership are not fixed roles. The skills for each are interchangeable. Depending on the situation, great leaders sometimes need to be great followers, and great followers can step up and lead. It’s a dynamic process, shifting based on the context and the needs of the moment.
The Archetypes of Followership
Let’s dive into followership a little deeper. Robert Kelley’s research identified five distinct follower archetypes. As I reflect on my own experiences, I invite you to do the same—see which ones resonate with you.
Sheep: These followers are passive and require constant direction. They don’t engage or think critically, and simply follow along.
Yes-People: They are active doers but follow orders without question. Critical thinking? Not so much.
Alienated Followers: These people are critical thinkers but disengaged. Often cynical or maverick, they can bring up important points but aren’t invested in the outcome.
Pragmatists: Middle-of-the-road followers, they wait for the dust to settle before engaging. They’re not taking risks but aren’t disengaged either.
Exemplary Followers: Engaged and proactive, they think critically and offer solutions. They challenge leaders in constructive ways and strive for success.
Now, wouldn’t we all love to claim the title of Exemplary Follower? I certainly aspire to it. I’ve been in work environments where I felt trusted and valued, where my voice counted, and I thrived in that space. But I’ve also found myself slipping into the Pragmatist or Alienated categories from time to time.
One pattern I’ve noticed is that my followership wanes when leaders become followers themselves. For example, I’ve worked for bosses who suddenly started following a board that had unnecessarily stepped into operational territory. My frustration wasn’t with my boss, but with the leadership dynamics shifting in ineffective ways.
Similarly, I’ve experienced alienation when working for leaders I didn’t connect with, who didn’t seem authentic, or who didn’t trust me or recognize my contributions. In those moments, I moved toward the Alienated archetype.
As for being a “Yes-Person” or a Sheep? Not in my DNA. I question. I challenge. I want to know the purpose behind the direction. While I never had to follow orders under the life-or-death pressures of the military, I’ve spent my life asking questions. And when the inevitable “because I said so” comes up? You guessed it—straight to Alienated territory!
Embracing Active Followership
Sure, I may sound like a bit of a maverick at times, but you’re more likely to find me:
Being curious: Asking questions and challenging assumptions.
Using my initiative: Taking proactive steps to solve problems.
Handling challenges autonomously: Not waiting around for constant direction or permission.
These are all examples of active followership.
My journey through both leadership and followership has shown me that these roles aren’t destinations. They are fluid and interchangeable. And when I find myself in environments that foster collaboration, communication, and commitment, I see a culture where both leaders and followers can truly thrive.
So, next time you think about leadership, turn around and check who’s following you. Or maybe it’s time to follow someone else for a while.
The magic happens in the dance between the two.
Bring…Breathe…Be
WHAT DANCE ARE YOU IN? DROP ME A LINE AND LET’S TALK!
Bobby Davis is a qualified executive and team coach with extensive experience in organisational development, business change (the people angle), human resources and personal leadership.
Her coaching experience is against a backdrop of 30+ years working in managerial and human resources/OD roles in the British Army, Not for Profits, Professional Services and most recently with a private equity owned Hotel Group.
She has led the People “strand” within large business transformation programmes, creating people strategies, internal coaching schemes and embedding strong performance cultures, as well as supporting at all levels of an organisation to implement effective change.
She is absolutely passionate in her pursuit to support, challenge and deliver sustainable change for individuals, teams and organisations, one person at a time if necessary!
You can catch her for a chat about coaching, using your body better as a leader and/or supporting you in HR/OD here Bobby Davis FCIPD PCC | LinkedIn
And check out her dulcet tones in “More Than A Lumpy Jumper” - Conversations about Leadership, Life and Learning here More Than a Lumpy Jumper | Podcast on Spotify
