Leadership 101: The importance of being a strong follower

Leadership is chiefly affected by followership, and it’s a fact that great leaders are great followers first. However, some workplaces forego training that develops an employee’s skills which are appropriate for being a great follower, and head on to improving their leadership competencies.

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An effective follower creates a sense of awareness not just for oneself, but for their colleagues, coworkers, clients, shareholders, and the public. It’s integral to maintain the consciousness that being a leader means knowing how to bring everyone together. By being a good follower first, one learns how to read the room. Empathy is an invaluable quality. Patrick Dwyer of Merrill Lynch believes that it’s important for a leader to maintain the knowledge and comprehension of what inspires and encourages others in the workplace.

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Good followers choose their battles. It’s impossible not to encounter a workmate whose views one is opposed to. A good follower knows not to engage in every political tirade that others initiate. Differences exist and must be recognized; good followers how to get along with colleagues with opposing views. Diplomacy is a key quality in leadership.

Being a good follower means being courageous even when presenting a dissenting opinion. According to Patrick Dwyer of Merrill Lynch, when a leader is headed to the wrong path with their statements and actions, an effective follower is brave enough to disagree with the motions, and offer different solutions. Speaking up takes guts and a strong conviction. Good leaders who have a strong sense of followership are guided by their moral compass.

Patrick Dwyer of Merrill Lynch believes that education is tied to success in the world of business. Subscribe to this blog for more updates.