The next meditation to help us become a more courageous follower from Ira Chaleff’s book “The Courageous Follower,” is: As an adult, I can relate on a peer basis to other adults who are the group’s formal leaders. We have to give up any paternal image we have of our leaders and the relationships we have with them. No organization or individual can be expected to take care of us – we must assume full responsibility for ourselves.
Leaders and followers in the group each have different roles. Above all else, we have to understand our role in the group and hold ourselves accountable for carrying out our responsibilities. We need to work autonomously as much as possible, but we must also build a healthy support network and learn how to effectively call on that network for help when necessary. We need to see our leaders as a resource of the group, part of our support network. We also have to understand our leaders’ responsibilities, help them to accomplish their roles, and likewise help hold them accountable to high standards of personal performance and conduct.
Leaders and followers assume their most healthy and productive work relationships when they are interdependent with each other. For our part, we can’t burden our leaders with having to take care of us, likewise, we can’t allow any leader to force us to kowtow.
Every member of the organization must understand how her/his part works in accordance with all the other parts as the corporate body pursues its purpose. We need to learn and appreciate this as followers.
Related Posts:
My Favorite Way To Think About Leadership: Part 2
Secure Attachment: Another Positive Personality Trait
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I like the reinforcement of your messages, Bret. It’s a very real challenge for each of us, and collectively for society, to rid ourself of the mental image of the heroic leader. Given our rapidly changing economy and society, combined with such issues as demographics, terrorism, climate change and globalization of trade, each of us needs to focus on how we can empower ourselves to make a positive impact on our world. It starts with small acts of self-empowerment. Thanks.
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Bret L. Simmons Reply:
January 11th, 2010 at 9:08 am
So correct, Jim, we have to give up our image of the leader as hero. Its much more complex than any single person to either credit or blame. Thanks for sharing your thoughts! Bret
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Bret,
I am really enjoying your courageous follower theme! To me, far too little importance is placed on being a courageous and/or an effective follower. If all group members were dedicated to being courageous followers of the purpose and the group, I think we would have much more effective groups/teams.
Thanks again for your words of wisdom on this topic!
Sharon
http://www.sharonmarkovsky.com
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Bret L. Simmons Reply:
January 11th, 2010 at 1:58 pm
Concur 100%, Sharon. Can’t be the best leader you can be unless you are the best follower you can be. Thanks for the comment! bret
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