Followership vs. Leadership

Attribute	Followership	Leadership
Role	Supporting and following the leader	Guiding and directing the followers
Responsibility	Following instructions and contributing to the team	Setting goals, making decisions, and motivating the team
Accountability	Being accountable for tasks assigned by the leader	Being accountable for the team's performance and outcomes
Communication	Listening to and understanding the leader's instructions	Communicating goals, expectations, and feedback to the team
Decision-making	Following the leader's decisions	Making decisions for the team and organization

Definition

Followership and leadership are two sides of the same coin when it comes to organizational dynamics. While leadership is often seen as the act of guiding and directing a group towards a common goal, followership is the act of supporting and following the direction set by a leader. Both roles are essential for the success of any group or organization.

Attributes

Leadership is often associated with qualities such as vision, decisiveness, and the ability to inspire and motivate others. A leader is typically someone who sets the direction for a group, makes tough decisions, and takes responsibility for the outcomes. On the other hand, followership is characterized by qualities such as loyalty, cooperation, and the ability to execute tasks effectively. Followers are essential for carrying out the vision set by a leader and ensuring that goals are met.

Relationship

The relationship between leaders and followers is often seen as hierarchical, with leaders at the top providing direction and followers at the bottom carrying out tasks. However, this traditional view of leadership and followership is evolving, with more emphasis being placed on collaboration and shared decision-making. In modern organizations, leaders are expected to listen to and value the input of their followers, creating a more inclusive and empowering environment.

Communication

Effective communication is crucial for both leaders and followers to work together towards a common goal. Leaders must be able to clearly articulate their vision and expectations to their followers, while also being open to feedback and input. Followers, on the other hand, must be able to communicate their needs, concerns, and ideas to their leaders in a respectful and constructive manner. By fostering open and honest communication, leaders and followers can build trust and mutual respect.

Decision-Making

Leaders are often responsible for making tough decisions that impact the entire group or organization. They must weigh the pros and cons of different options, consider the input of their followers, and ultimately make a decision that is in the best interest of the group as a whole. Followers, on the other hand, must trust in the decisions made by their leaders and support them, even if they may not always agree with them. By working together in this way, leaders and followers can navigate challenges and achieve success.

Empowerment

Empowering followers is an important aspect of effective leadership. Leaders must trust their followers to carry out tasks independently, make decisions, and contribute their unique skills and perspectives to the group. By empowering their followers, leaders can create a more engaged and motivated team that is committed to achieving the organization's goals. Followers, on the other hand, must be willing to take on responsibility, show initiative, and contribute their best efforts to the group. By being proactive and engaged, followers can help drive the success of the organization.

Conclusion

In conclusion, followership and leadership are both essential roles within any organization. While leaders provide direction, vision, and inspiration, followers support, execute tasks, and contribute their unique skills and perspectives. By fostering open communication, shared decision-making, and empowerment, leaders and followers can work together effectively towards a common goal. Ultimately, the success of any group or organization depends on the collaboration and synergy between leaders and followers.