BEING AN EFFECTIVE FOLLOWER
Robert Kelley (1992), author of The Power of Followership, suggested that effective followers possess four common qualities:
They are self-managing and able to work effectively without direct supervision;
They are very committed to the organization’s goals;
They possess a high level of competence and mastery of their job skills; and
They act with a high level of credibility and ethics in their job performance.
In this Discussion, you will consider what it means to be a good follower and will consider your own effectiveness in that role.
RESOURCES
To prepare for this Discussion:
Review this week’s Learning Resources on followership.
Consider your own strengths and areas for growth as a follower and how you might improve your followership skills.
BY DAY 3
Post a summary of what effective followership entails, including an analysis of your own effectiveness as a follower. Based on your reading and analysis of this week’s Learning Resources, as well as your own experience and observations, respond to the following:
Do you see yourself as an effective follower? Why or why not? Be sure to provide examples.
What are your strengths and weaknesses, or shortcomings, in being an effective follower? What actions can you take to improve your followership skills?
How can being an effective follower translate to effective leadership? Hint: Your discussion should consider how the “followers” empower or enable the leader’s behaviors (for good or bad).
What recommendations would you make for leaders to better empower and support their followers to meet their goals?
Sample Solution
Effective followership is the ability to work effectively with a leader to achieve common goals. Effective followers are self-managing, committed to the organization's goals, competent, and ethical. They are also able to provide constructive feedback to their leaders and to challenge them when necessary.
Robert Kelley's four qualities of effective followers
Robert Kelley (1992) identified four qualities that effective followers possess:
- Self-management: Effective followers are able to work effectively without direct supervision. They are able to set their own goals, manage their time effectively, and solve problems independently.
- Commitment to the organization's goals: Effective followers are committed to the organization's goals and objectives. They are willing to work hard to achieve these goals, and they are willing to put the organization's interests ahead of their own.
- Competence: Effective followers are competent in their job skills. They have the knowledge and skills necessary to do their job effectively.
- Credibility and ethics: Effective followers act with a high level of credibility and ethics. They are honest, trustworthy, and reliable. They also act in a way that is consistent with the organization's values.
- Be more proactive: I can take more initiative and be more proactive in my work. I can also be more assertive and speak up when I have a different opinion.
- Develop my emotional intelligence: I can learn to be more sensitive to the needs of others and to be more aware of my own emotions.
- Get feedback: I can ask for feedback from my leaders and from my peers on how I can improve my followership skills.