Chapter 7 Followership

Chapter Objectives Recognize your followership style and take steps to become a more effective follower. Understand the leader’s role in developing effective followers. Apply the principles of effective followership, including responsibility, service, challenging authority, participating in change, and knowing when to leave. Implement the strategies for effective followership at school or work. Know what followers want and contribute to building a community among followers.

Critical and Uncritical Thinking Thinking independently and being mindful of the effects of one’s own and other people’s behavior on achieving the organization’s vision. Uncritical Thinking Failing to consider possibilities beyond what one is told; accepting the leader’s ideas without thinking.

Ex. 7.1 Followership Styles Independent, critical thinking Alienated Effective Passive Pragmatic Survivor Active Passive Conformist Dependent, uncritical thinking

Ex. 7.2 The Maturity Continuum Sharpen the Saw Interdependence 5 6 Seek First to Understand Then to be Understood Synergize PUBLIC VICTORY Think win-win 4 Independence Put First Things First 3 PRIVATE VICTORY Begin with the End in Mind Be Proactive 1 2 Dependence

Sources of Follower Power Personal Sources Knowledge Expertise Effort Persuasion Position Sources Location Information Access

Ex. 7.3 Ways to Influence Your Leader Be a Resource for the Leader Determine the leader’s needs. Zig where the leader zags. Tell leader about you. Align self to team purpose/vision. Help the Leader Be a Good Leader Ask for advice. Tell leader what you think. Find things to thank leader for. Build a Relationship Ask about leader at your level/position. Welcome feedback and criticism. Ask leader to tell you company stories. View the Leader Realistically Give up idealized leader images. Don’t hide anything. Don’t criticize leader to others. Disagree occasionally.

Ex. 7.4 Rank Order of Desirable Characteristics Desirable Leaders Are Honest Forward thinking Inspiring Competent Desirable Colleagues (Followers) Are Honest Cooperative Dependable Competent

Ex. 7.5 The Feedback Process Observation Follower misses deadlines repeatedly. Development Follower given training in self-management, team allocated work based on personal skills. Assessment Follower lacks self-management skills. Consequences Team members resent delays to team projects.

Dialogue A type of communication in which each person suspends his attachment to a particular viewpoint so that a deeper level of listening, synthesis, and meaning evolves from the whole community

Communities of Practice Made up of individuals who are informally bound to one another through exposure to a similar set of problems and a common pursuit of solutions