There’s a lot you can learn about being a good leader by learning to be a good follower.
Good followers support the leader when they’re going the right direction and doing the right things. Good followers also have the courage to speak up when things aren’t right.
Barbara Kellerman, a leadership lecturer at Harvard University, is the author of “Followership: How Followers are Creating Change and Changing Leaders” and says there are five key skills you learn as a good follower that can make you a better leader.
Awareness. Good followers learn to read people and understand what upsets and motivates them. A team becomes stronger when each member is aware of the others’ needs.
Diplomacy. Good followers learn how to get along with those who have differences but they don’t ignore those differences. A leader or manager can’t afford to be oblivious to the attitudes of those around him or her.
Courage. Having the courage to dissent when something’s wrong means also having the energy and enthusiasm to support a leader or manager who’s doing things wisely.
Collaboration. Today, leaders are evaluated by the quality of the team or organization and its members. That’s what drives exponential value and performance.
Critical Thinking. To be a good follower, you need to be able to think for yourself. Good followers give feedback and counsel to leaders.
Leadership is not about rising above the team, it’s about being a good member of the team. It’s about listening, watching and developing situational awareness.
Be a good follower to become an even better leader.
Have a great week.
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