It may not make sense to tell you that you must be a good follower to be a good leader, but it is true. Until I became self-confident enough to become a good follower, my “leadership” skills suffered terribly and unfortunately so did those whom I was “leading.”
My first leadership roles were as captain of high school sports teams. To me, the title should have been “thin-skinned hard-ass,” because that is what I was. I know now that was true, but then I remembered very little so would never have seen the picture as it was. I thought that out working and outperforming my teammates earned me the right to be team captain. It wasn’t until much later in life and a ton of embarrassing memories that I realized what decent leadership required.
The funny thing is that I had “leaders” in high ranking management positions in business who acted very much as I did in high school before that mirror revealed to me “the way it was.” Now that I have fallen on that sword I can discuss why I and others believe that being a good follower is essential to being a good leader.
Good followers learn to understand the importance of obedience, respect and concern for others and while doing so learn leadership qualities the better prepare them for leadership roles, whether in management or in individual contributor positions. If not a good follower, you are likely (as I was) insecure and therefore self-centered and entirely self-unaware. Since it takes courage to be a good leader, those traits manifest themselves in destructive tendencies that run counter to being supportive of others. If we are to become good leaders, others success must be of utmost importance to us. If you are in a management or supervisory position, you must have the courage to admit mistakes and step aside from the ideas and accolades of others. As a leader, you must get out of the way of yourself before you can be of value to others. And I know how difficult that is, so don’t feel embarrassed if this just struck a nerve with you and you are suddenly embarrassed as I have been when the light goes on and I am standing there naked in all of my past mistakes. In fact, if that is happening to you right now, you are on your way to becoming more valuable to others, and more valuable to yourself! It is called self-awareness and though often a painful realization, it is critical for self-improvement.
John Maxwell, my mentor of more than a decade, says that the attributes of a good leader are to be a good follower. All leaders follow. Do you support well as a leader and as a follower? The prerequisite of being a good leader is to be a good follower. Since I am in the “fall on my sword” routine today, I will admit that I have not always been a good follower. I used to refer to it as being a lieutenant (versus a higher rank), and I have realized that I wasn’t always a good lieutenant. And candidly, I am not sure I am still a good follower even today.
John makes the point that good followers trust leaders and functional leaders trust followers. Good followers are obedient (and respectful) of leaders, and good leaders are respectful of followers and other leaders. Good followers also desire to be part of a team, and so do good leaders.
If you have some but not all of these attributes, don’t be discouraged. You are part of an enormous group of people worldwide. Your difference may be that you want to keep going forward and getting better at following and leading. Just be determined. Keep working on yourself to be able to do these things regardless of your title, role or position in your organization or family that will add value to those you lead or those you follow.
If you follow well, you have potential to lead well, and when you lead because you observe well, you connect well with followers because you have been where they are and know what they need. When you see what they need, do whatever you can to provide it to them. That’s all.