Effective Followers

Just as effective leaders possess certain qualities, so do effective followers.

Of the five (5) types, they are the most sought after.

Please read on to find out what those qualities are.

Effective Followers

According to Robert Kelley's work on followership, their are five types of followers.   They are: 

Of the five types listed above, the most effective possess the following qualities:

1. Self-Management
2. Commitment
3. Competence
4. Courage

Self-Management

This type of follower is an "emerging leader in disquise".  

They practice self-leadership, operate fairly independently and take one hundred percent responsibility for their actions.

They have a strong work ethic and high effectiveness quotient.  They can manage themselves, reducing the need to be managed by their boss.   

Commitment

Followers who are effective understand the organization's Vision, Mission and Core Values, and they understand their role.

Their commitment is indicated by the degree of engagement in helping their team achieve its goals and objectives.  

They are willing to go the extra mile, without being asked.  If something needs to be done, they do it.

"Not my job" is not in their vocabulary.

Competence

Competence, one of the three (3) Cs of Credibility, is an attribute of this type of follower.

Whether functional, technical, or non-technical, they keep their skills up to date so they remain relevant in rapidly changing environments.

They are sought out for their expertise, and because they have the ability to get things done.

Courage

Courage, the ability to move forward in the face of fear, is a quality demonstrated by this type.  

They are willing to tell people what they NEED to hear, not just what they WANT to hear, even if it is their boss.  And they possess the ability to present it in such a way that it is received . 

They have a win-win paradigm and seek to achieve it at all times.     

Want To Know More?

So, what type of follower are you?  Find out by taking this assessment: Effective Quotient.

Effective followers often advance to leadership positions.  They often consistently exceed expectations in their role as individual contributors and are called upon to accept increased responsibility.  

That is good if they can make the leap from individual contributor to leading and getting work done through others.  

It is not good when they fail to get the proper guidance on how to become a leader who leads.  (See Ill-Equipped Leaders.)

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