THE COURAGEOUS FOLLOWERDynamics of The Leader-Follower Relation

Questions to Consider

How does a follower effectively support a leader and relieve pressures?

How does a follower become a shaper rather than simply an implementer?

How does a follower contribute to leadership development rather than become a critic of leadership failings?

Resistance to Being “A Follower”

Cultural bias towards leaders

Confusion between follower as personality type and follower as role

Desire for egalitarianism

Lack of positive models of followership

Followers…

Must understand their own power and how to use it.

Must appreciate the value of leaders and cherish the critical contributions they make.

Understand the seductiveness and pitfalls of the power of leadership.

A Dynamic Model of Followership

Balances and supports dynamic leadership

Embraces rather than rejects the identity of follower because the model speaks to our Courage Power Integrity Responsibility Sense of Service

Courageous Followership

Built on the foundation of courageous relationship. Courage to be right, be wrong, or to be

different from each other. Danger in the leader-follower model is the

assumption that the leader’s interpretation must dominate.

Stay true to own light while helping leaders follow theirs.

How do you establish and maintain a true relationship with a leader?

Purpose Not Person

Followers & leaders both orbit around the purpose.

Without purpose, leaders and followers only pursue their perceived self-interest, not their common interest.

Shared values validate the purpose and how it will be achieved.

The Paradox of Followership

Responsible for own actions.

Share responsibility for the actions of those whom we can influence.

Followers are accountable for their leaders. Support & help

correct actions.

What Creates Partnership?

Shared Purpose Competence Support Trust Courage Constructive

Confrontation

Why Do Leaders Need Partners?

Visibility & pressures intensify as a leader rises

Flaws magnify as a leader rises

A Leader’s Actions have greater impact

Johari’s Window

OpenAwareSelf

BlindSelf

UnknownPotential

Self

HiddenSelf

Known to Others

Not Known to Others

Known to Self

Unknown to Self

Developed by Joseph Luft & Harry Ingham

Who Does a Follower Serve?

Shares a common purpose with the leader

Believes in what the organization is trying to accomplish

Wants both the leader and the organization to succeed

Is a steward of the resources an organization

Loyalty of a Follower

To the purpose of the organization and to helping each other (leader and follower) stay true to that purpose.

Power in the Relationship

Power that resides entirely on the leader is not good for the follower or the leader.

Followers do not think for themselves & fail to take appropriate actions.

Critical for follower to connect with their power and learn how to use it.

Value of the Follower

Interdependent with not dependent on the leader

Self motivated not leader motivated

How well does the follower help the leader & organization pursue their common purpose within the context of their values.

Followership Styles

Implementer Partner

Resource Individualist

High Support

High Constructive Challenge

Low Support

Low Constructive Challenge

Courage of the Follower

Willingness to consciously raise the level of risk.

Honest dialogue creates vitality.

Willing to ask questions without fear.

Sources of courage? Develop the courage

muscle.

Balance through Relationship

Leaders are the flame that ignites action.

Followers are the guarantors of the beneficial use of that power.

Followers provide balance if they can stand up to leaders. Two essential elements of relationship: Develop Trust Use that trust to speak

honestly when appropriate.

Mature Relationships

Must confront a power leader about immature behavior.

Must be able to respect the accomplished adult, preserve the self-esteem and challenge the immature behavior.

Difference in Elevation

70% of followers will not question a leader’s point of view even when they feel the leader is about to make a mistake.

WHY? “King’s Disease”—

leaders lose touch with reality.

Finding Equal Footing

We are not our titles. Must be willing to look

a leader in the eye and credibly deliver our observations.

See the leader as a person.

“How can I help this fellow human being whose lot has been cast together with mine.”

When the Leader Is Not Equal

Deal with our own feelings

Cover for the leader or let the leader appear unprepared?

Increased workloads Resentment can run high Service to the

organization must be the guiding principle

Trust & Reliability

Single most important factor on which followers evaluate a leader.

Reliability is used when speaking of follower. A leader needs to experience both trust and competence in a follower.

Trust can change rapidly. Take aggressive efforts to

find out why.

Finding the Courage to Speak

Values Purpose Care for the

Institution or Unit Care for the Leader Professional

Standards Certainty of Data Other?

Strategies & Techniques for Giving Feedback

Make sure “own house is in order”

Prepare thoughts/data

Arrange appropriate time & place

Identify specific behavior/policy

Link to what the leader values

Strategies & Techniques for Giving Feedback

Report its impact and consequences

Convey the depth of feelings

Remain respectful and forthright

Confirm support for the leader

Leader and Follower Obligations

A good leader listens The leader is under no

obligation to accept feedback

Follower has an obligation to repeat feedback if warranted

A good follower finds effective ways to communicate

5 Dimensions of Courageous Followership

Courage

To…

Assume Responsibilit

y

Take Moral

Action

Serve

Challenge

Participate in Transformatio

n

“Followership is a discipline of supporting leaders and helping them to lead well. It is not

submission, but the wise and good care of leaders, done out of a sense of gratitude for

their willingness to take on the responsibilities of leadership, and a sense of hope and faith in

their abilities and potential.”

Reverend Paul Beedle

Sources

The Courageous Follower: Standing Up To & For Our Leaders. Ira Chaleff, 2009.

Various power point presentations by Ira Chaleff, 2009 & 2007. www. Courageousfollower.com