The intention of this book is to demonstrate the disconnect that exists between leaders and followers. This is in an effort to demonstrate the important role of the follower as a key variable in the success equation of an organisation. While the concept of leadership is well written and researched about, that of the follower remains insignificantly discussed. The argument for and against leaders vs. manger is continuing in the academic world but that of the follower is barely considered. This book attempts to shade light on the importance of the subordinates.
Followers are a crucial variable in the success of any organisation. How well they are treated and allowed to flourish will contribute largely to the success of an organisation. As cooperating assistants with less power, authority and influence, they are an invaluable support to the leader of the day.
Leadership though highly sought in career advancement, is not devoid of humanity, humanity precedes all titles. Our generation views leadership on the basis of being ahead somewhat, being a little higher than the rest of the flock so to say. The idea of being ahead easily over exerts itself in action unfortunately creating unhealthy environments for the followers. This book looks at the followers and how minus their existence leadership does not exist. The content brings to the fore the fine balance that interplays in the workforce and a perhaps an internal look at the dynamics that leadership often ignores, that followers make leaders and thus need to be considered on the human interface before their roles.
The followers are not just items or objects that need to be moved as in a chess game in order to get the prize, these are humans who need to be led as humans but tactfully approached in their positions. Neither should followers be zombie like in following the instructions outlined by leaders that they are devoid of mental input. Followers are neither detached from humanity and require it considered in the work environment in order to be motivated and to put in that extra element that brings the objectives of a company to fruition. This fine balance be-tween leadership and followers in any environment is discussed in order to highlight how important both parties are and how one interwoven in the other relies on the other in order to exist.
Inhaltsverzeichnis (Table of Contents)
- Chapter 1: Introduction
- Chapter 2: The 'Zombie-Like' Effect
- Introduction
- Cooperating assistants
- Model of followership
- Zombie-like effect on Followers
- Summary
- Chapter 3: Followers: Led or ruled
- Introduction
- Leaders vs. Managers
- Definitions of terms
- Leadership
- Management
- Human Resource
- Followers
- Led or Ruled
- To lead is not to rule
- The Fallacy of Management
- Summary
- Chapter 4: Are Leaders from Planet Mars?
- Introduction
- Everyone would like to be a leader not a follower
- Summary
- Chapter 5: Wining the hearts of your Followers...
- Introduction
- Client's vs. Employees
- Skills approach a mind game
- Summary
- Chapter 6: Going the Extra mile for Followers
- Introduction
- Employee turnover vs retention
- Leadership vs Multi-Generational Workforce
- Healthy Followers
- The value of the health and well-being of an employee
- Summary
- Chapter 7: Followers do have Career Aspirations too!
- Introduction
- Under the Frederick Taylor spell
- Defining a Career
- Career Development
- Employee's role in Career Management
- Summary
- Chapter 8: Local knowledge and Leadership...
- Defining Knowledge
- Local knowledge
- Summary
Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)
This book aims to explore the relationship between leaders and followers, highlighting the importance of understanding followers as individuals and not simply as passive entities. It emphasizes the human element in leadership and the need for leaders to engage with followers on a human level in order to motivate and inspire them.
- The importance of followers in leadership and organizational success
- The distinction between leadership and management, and their impact on followers
- The importance of humanizing the workplace and fostering a healthy environment for followers
- The need for leaders to understand and address the career aspirations of followers
- The role of local knowledge and its influence on leadership effectiveness
Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)
Chapter 1 provides an introduction to the concept of followership and its significance in the success of any organization. Chapter 2 discusses the "Zombie-like" effect that can occur when followers are treated as passive entities, lacking any agency or mental input. Chapter 3 delves into the distinction between leadership and management and the importance of viewing followers as individuals rather than simply as resources. Chapter 4 challenges the common assumption that leaders are inherently superior to followers, examining the human element in leadership and the importance of fostering a balanced and healthy work environment. Chapter 5 focuses on the need for leaders to win the hearts of their followers by understanding their needs and perspectives. Chapter 6 discusses the importance of going the extra mile for followers, fostering employee retention and a healthy work environment. Chapter 7 explores the career aspirations of followers and the need for leaders to support their professional development. Chapter 8 examines the role of local knowledge in leadership and its impact on effectiveness.
Schlüsselwörter (Keywords)
The main keywords and focus topics of this text include followership, leadership, management, human resource, career development, employee retention, local knowledge, and human element in leadership.
- Quote paper
- Christine Phiri Mushibwe (Author), Mwelwa Mushibwe Ntanisha (Author), 2020, Followers. A Key Variable in Organisational Success, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/937497
