Disagreement Between A Leader And A Follower example essay topic

Followers plan an active role in the process of leadership. By being a follower, it does not mean that one is inferior to a leader, but that they simply play a different role. Webster's dictionary defines follow as to come or occur after, but it does not necessarily imply a causal relationship with what goes before. A follower is part of the team. A quarterback cannot win the game without the efforts of the entire team. He can throw or run the ball but without his team members blocking, he will not make the touch down.

Much like a game, team players are imperative to the success of the organization. There are five different types of followers as stated by Frisina (2005) in the article Learn to Lead by Following. The types of followers Frisina identified include "yes people", sheep, survivors, alienated followers, and effective followers". Yes people" are those followers that always agree to what the leader is saying.

As Wojcicki (2001) wrote in his article, A Role for Followers in These Extraordinary Times, followers must give leaders the time and freedom to develop plans of action. John Kennedy said though, that our role as followers is sometimes only to consent. After the plan is in motion, or an order is given, the role of the employee is to carry out the plan, not argue the strategy. Being a "yes person" means that there is never any disagreement between a leader and a follower. Sometimes a follower might have a better idea and thinks outside the box.

A good leader should take the initiative to listen to him / her. Creativity and unorthodox ideas could be the new success for the organization. Leaders may need "yes people" to carry out certain tasks, but the majority of leaders would rather have an honest opinion when asking for it. "Sheep people" are those types of followers who never have an opinion.

They follow the "herd" and never stray. Even if they feel that something is not right, they tend to follow and never state that there might be a problem. Sheep have a strong instinct to follow the leader, and this behavior can make handling easier. They must be able to see a pathway of escape, and should be able to see other sheep moving in front of them. Physiologically, sheep respond to stress with increased heart rates. If stress is severe enough, elevated cortisol levels, increase feed requirements and reduces immunity.

Stress may, therefore, adversely influence their well-being. Much like sheep, these type followers need a leader. Without a leader there is confusion, disorganization, and undefined goals. Under stress some people eat more, drink or smoke. In recent years medical research has proven that stress has a negative effect on our immune system. Much like sheep, these type followers' ideal position is to remain with or behind their coworkers and out of stressful or confrontational issues.

A survivor is someone who always follows the norm. They look to how others act in similar situations and they follow them, as in behavior modeling. A survivor will model successful actions, roles, and behaviors based on the way others act. They are more worried about protecting their position than actual issues they might be faced with in the company.

They do think critically at times, but they are not as committed to their work as the others (De iss 1998). The alienated follower is an independent and critical thinker. The only problem with the alienated follower is that he / she criticizes everything. It is sometimes a good thing to be critical of ideas, but not always (Cummings 2004).

If someone is too critical then others tend to see this person as arrogant and distance themselves. If an alienated follower is working in a team with others, then the other team members will be more critical of that person and will not be as open to his / her ideas. Alienated followers find themselves just that, alienated. Effective followers tend to be critical thinkers and active workers (Frisina 2005). They are independent in their actions and thoughts. Effective followers might sometimes seem like leaders because of their willingness to work and their enthusiasm.

These people are those workers who are always on time. They prioritize their life so that they can handle work and home, and they live with their personal and core values matched (Frisina 2005). Interpersonal skills are traits that all effective followers carry. As Frisina (2005) said of the words of Stephen Covey, these followers might have adopted Covey's words of "seeking to understand before demanding to be understood". The effective follower always sees the big picture and tries to come up with a logical solution in order to help the leader. There are four equalities that are essential to effective following.

(Kelley 1988) o Self management: having the ability to be a think for ones self is important for being an effective followers. o Commitment: being committed to goals and values and principles of the organization. They seek out extra work and responsibilities gladly in order to stretch themselves. o Competence and focus: Having high standards of performance and are frequently renewing and building upon their skills and abilities. o Courage: They are trustworthy and honest and have the courage to speak up. They keep leaders and colleagues honest and informed. They are insightful, candid and they are willing to take risks. Followers assist the organization with their insights and talents. Each bring different backgrounds and life experiences to the conference room table.

By allowing followers to bring their ideas and opinions into the project, it gives them a sense of empowerment and self fulfillment. This leads to a self starting confident workforce. Tapping into the resources your subordinates possess is a job good leaders are great at.