While the amount of literature on followership compared to leadership is significantly less, there are still a variety of sources and authors researching the topic. Many articles start out by stating their observation that little attention is given to the area of followership and possible reasons, then go into why it is important, and finally discuss various types of followers, their qualities, and the constructs of followership. This review will take a similar approach. A common statement in literature on followership is how meager the articles discussing it compared to those on leaders or leadership. Over 75 years ago, well-known management theorist Mary Parker Follett noted that the part of follower was not considered enough but were an
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They are often overlooked but can play a significant role in a group’s success or failure. In fact, people are followers more than they are leaders; followership dominates our lives while leadership dominates our thinking (Kelly, 1988). In order to lead one must first show competence as a follower and be able to work well in groups (McCallum, 2013). Another area supporting the importance of followership deals with the relationships between followers and leaders. These roles can also be swapped depending on the situation, so both roles benefit from understanding the other. The foundation of interactions between leaders and followers affect the outcome of the leadership process (Tee et al., 2013). An awareness of the levels of relationships between followers and leaders is crucial for accurate research on the …show more content…
The confusion and misunderstand of what followership is may be due to the lack of attention to these three elements. In order for the research to continue a more in depth study of these pieces are necessary. Characteristics include motivators and intellectual abilities while behaviors may be obeying, resisting, or advising. Followers respond differently and exhibit various behaviors to similar leaders and are drawn to those with like values (Bjugstad et al., 2006). The outcomes include the reactions from leaders, whether a follower advances in a group, and if they are trusted (Uhl-Bien, 2014). An organization is at its best when both leadership and followership are clearly understood as complements of each
They are often overlooked but can play a significant role in a group’s success or failure. In fact, people are followers more than they are leaders; followership dominates our lives while leadership dominates our thinking (Kelly, 1988). In order to lead one must first show competence as a follower and be able to work well in groups (McCallum, 2013). Another area supporting the importance of followership deals with the relationships between followers and leaders. These roles can also be swapped depending on the situation, so both roles benefit from understanding the other. The foundation of interactions between leaders and followers affect the outcome of the leadership process (Tee et al., 2013). An awareness of the levels of relationships between followers and leaders is crucial for accurate research on the …show more content…
The confusion and misunderstand of what followership is may be due to the lack of attention to these three elements. In order for the research to continue a more in depth study of these pieces are necessary. Characteristics include motivators and intellectual abilities while behaviors may be obeying, resisting, or advising. Followers respond differently and exhibit various behaviors to similar leaders and are drawn to those with like values (Bjugstad et al., 2006). The outcomes include the reactions from leaders, whether a follower advances in a group, and if they are trusted (Uhl-Bien, 2014). An organization is at its best when both leadership and followership are clearly understood as complements of each