The Courageous Follower – by Pam Boney
An interesting article by Pam Boney, author of the Tilt 360 Leadership Model.
All great leaders have some important traits in common.
When you ask a great leader how they accomplish what they do, the answer is always the same. “It wasn’t me, it was my team…without them I could have never done it.” They recognize that nothing is accomplished in isolation and that the bulk of “doing” happens by their team and others who support that team. They know that, as the leader, they set the tone and create the climate for greatness and are highly persistent about accountability when it comes to keeping a positive climate where greatness can unfold. They have humility about their role in the big picture and care most about doing the right thing for the enterprise. They know greatness is earned and they know that they will always be working toward it. They know that you never “arrive” and they love that this is true because they love a challenge. It is their great humility that creates the strong drive for ongoing self-development and self-leadership.
The Interconnected Nature of Everything
All great leaders are also great followers. They have an instinct about the fact that we all need each other and that nothing is done alone. Not only are they aware that they are accountable to their followers, they know they are accountable to an authority greater than they are. Very few of us are at the top of the pyramid. Even a CEO is accountable to the Board of Directors. The Great Leader also believes they are accountable to their Maker and that there is a greater power that governs the universe, so they are mindful of the idea that they are part of a larger body of life that they must answer to eventually. They know that no one walks alone in life. They feel responsible for contributing back to the community at large and giving back to the greater system that supports them.
Wisdom and Courage in those who are Good Followers
The Great Leader is also a Great Follower. They know how to approach others who are in a higher authority with both great wisdom and great courage. They present a strong case for what they believe in and they are persistent about creating momentum for that direction with courageous conviction that is contagious. They proceed with the confidence that they have the right to put their ideas forward. But they also know that a unified vision is critical to success. They possess the savvy to know when to pick their battles and when to align with their leader, even though they do not agree with the direction because they want the enterprise they serve to win more than they want their way. They don’t pout, complain and argue about not getting their way. They are not paranoid about all of the things that might go wrong. They are not apathetic and indecisive. They are not paralyzed by fear. Instead they move forward and they commit despite uncertainty because that is what great leaders do. And if they are really good, they usually do win others to their way of thinking, because they do their homework. They develop the skill to convince the powers that be that their judgment is sound and that their ideas will work. They have a plan and they believe in it, so they are successful at leading their leader.
Resilience in those who are Great Leaders
Great Leaders and Followers are also adept at reading the proverbial tea leaves and knows when the climate is changing. They keep track of trends and build a compelling case for change that stays ahead of the curve in bold ways. They don’t whine about the past or the way things used to be or should be. They don’t quote rules and they don’t stall progress to defend a fixation they may be holding about the good old days. Instead they are resilient and realize that their role is to help everyone reframe, adapt, change and adjust to a new reality every day. Change happens every minute, every second. And if we don’t mastermind the way it unfolds by working with the best aspects of what is unfolding in our reality, it will most certainly unfold without us and leave us in the dust. Great Followers create hope and are optimistic about their ability to adjust so they help their leaders build unity toward a greater good for the enterprise that may one day go on without them. These Leaders enable change and help others reframe and adapt in healthy ways.
Humanity in those who are great leaders
Perhaps most importantly, the great follower has compassion and understanding for their fellow comrades and this includes those who are in a position of authority over them. They do not hold their leader up on some pedestal and expect them to be anything other than a human being. As such, they are understanding, forgiving, supportive, and always give their leader the benefit of doubt. They know that unity under the leader is imperative for momentum toward a positive future. They do not build factions of dissonance, they do not gossip, they do not blame and they do not complain about their leader. Instead they help their leader grow. And they are invited to do so, because they have earned the trust of their leader who openly welcomes their input. The Great Leader sets the example for seeking feedback in order to grow. They do not get angry and shoot the messenger when they receive feedback. They do not punish others for giving them feedback by the “silent treatment”, intimidation or by other manipulative methods designed to shut down feedback loops. Instead, they welcome and even solicit feedback regularly because they care about taking responsibility for their own growth.
Every great leader, is first.. a great follower. How are you doing at great followership today?
Citing: Ira Chaleff on “The Courageous Follower”
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About the Author: Pam Boney is the author of the Transcendent Leader Model™, the Tilt Coaching Model™,and the Tilt 360™ suite of assessments. For further information about Pam Boney and the Tilt Leadership Model please click here.
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