Follow Well

We keep saying we need good leaders, and we often hold our leaders to a high standard.

That is fair and correct.

However, our call for better leadership should be accompanied by a call for better followers as well.

This is where the Kelley Followership Model comes in.

It categorises the different types of followers based on the degree to which they exercise independent, skillful thinking and the degree to which they are actively engaged in supporting their leader.

The lowest level is passive, critical followers.

This type does not think or act independently and lacks the proactive will to initiate work, relying fully on their leader.

Most concerningly, they are unwilling or unable to offer solutions, yet criticise and find fault when their leader proposes a solution.

The next type is the conformist follower, they are loyal, but rarely initiate solutions.

They don’t think independently and would gladly complete a task without thinking about improvement for the fear of more responsibility.

The next type of follower is the alienated follower. This type has skill and expertise, but is highly distracted or disengaged.

They label themselves unappreciated or unfairly treated, and whether that is factually accurate or not, this self-label causes them to detract and, in some cases, conduct professional sabotage through passive negligence.

The last type of follower is the effective follower.

This follower is able to balance their independent views and skill with the understanding of their leaders’ views.

They give their leader their honest, skillful advice and they accept when their leader opts for a different direction.

Most importantly, they pivot their views and use their skill to better achieve their leader’s direction.

Are you the type of follower you would want when you become a leader?

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