Leadership and followership are inseparable as they always depend on each other. However, followership seems to be often overlooked because leaders tend to be in the spotlight due to their power, influence, and authority. This paper aims to discuss the role of followership in supporting leaders and highlight the importance of cooperation between leaders and followers.
It is crucial to understand that leaders are not alone in achieving goals, and there is always somebody behind them. Marinan and Brown (2019) state that effective followership “is an under-rated cornerstone of effective organizations” (p. 20). Team members support their managers and often take responsibility to solve problems. Subordinates should not thoughtlessly follow leaders but collaborate with them in accomplishing the common purpose.
In conclusion, the role of a follower seems to be underestimated. Nevertheless, followers contribute to achieving common goals, influence their managers, and take part in making decisions. It is the collaboration between employers and employees that constitutes perfect working relationships in organizations.
References
Marinan, J., & Brown, S. (2019). The relationship between servant leadership, psychological safety and effective followership. Quarterly Review of Business Disciplines, 6(1), 19-38. Web.