Dr. Darnell A. Durrah

When we discuss organizational success, leadership often steals the spotlight. But what about followership? Research increasingly shows that effective followership is just as crucial as leadership in driving success. Followership isn’t just about following orders—it’s about actively engaging with leadership and contributing meaningfully to team outcomes. In fact, followers have the power to shape the success of their organizations just as much as leaders do.

Followership: An Underappreciated Asset

Recent studies are shedding new light on the significant impact of followership in modern organizations. Followership behaviors like collaboration and initiative-taking improve team dynamics and organizational performance. One 2023 study highlighted how followers with strong self-efficacy—belief in their ability to succeed—actively contribute to leadership by offering solutions and questioning unethical behaviors. This dynamic fosters a culture of ethical decision-making and collaboration, proving that followers can be proactive agents of change​​​​.

The Traits of an Exceptional Follower

The research also points to follower identity as a key factor in effective followership. Follower identity refers to how individuals perceive their roles in a team. A study published in Behavioral Sciences (2023) revealed that employees whose self-perception aligns with organizational expectations for followership (e.g., being proactive and engaged) demonstrated stronger performance. These followers contributed to decision-making and held leaders accountable. This contradicts the old stereotype of followers as passive participants. In reality, the best followers are those who actively contribute and take ownership of their roles, aligning with the team’s goals and values​​.

Why Followership Matters More Than Ever

The modern workplace is moving toward a more collaborative model, where leadership is shared across all levels. Organizations that focus on developing both leadership and followership skills are more likely to foster innovation and reduce the risk of unethical behavior. Research suggests that followers who feel empowered to contribute their ideas and voice concerns are less likely to blindly follow leaders and are more invested in the organization’s success​​.

Practical Ways to Cultivate Followership

1. Promote Self-Efficacy: Encouraging followers to believe in their abilities helps them take initiative. Training and mentorship programs can build this confidence.

2. Lead by Example: Leaders should also demonstrate strong followership traits, such as being receptive to feedback and valuing the input of others.

3. Celebrate Contributions: Recognizing the proactive actions of followers reinforces the importance of followership and boosts morale.

4. Integrate Followership Training: Organizations should include followership development as part of their leadership training programs, ensuring a balance of both skills for team success.

Conclusion

Followership is the “forgotten skill” that has the power to transform organizational dynamics. By fostering a culture where followership is valued and nurtured, leaders can unlock new levels of collaboration, innovation, and ethical decision-making. Both leadership and followership are essential for success—together, they create a harmonious, productive, and resilient organizational culture.

By understanding the pivotal role followers play, leaders can more effectively navigate the complexities of modern work environments. As recent research has shown, empowering followers enhances the overall success of organizations, proving that followership is as essential to leadership as any other skill​​​​.

Zeng, W., Xu, Z., & Zhao, L. (2023). The effect of follower identity on followership: The mediating role of self-efficacy. Behavioral Sciences, 13(6), 482. https://doi.org/10.3390/bs13060482

Harvard Business Review. (2023). Followership and organizational dynamics. Harvard Business Review.