While an organization is only as good as its leaders, it’s also only as good as its followers. It’s the followers who accomplish goals under a leader’s direction and help achieve the leader’s vision.
Whether or not you aspire to leadership, it’s essential that you learn to follow well. On this episode of The Clarity Advisors Show, host Ken Trupke offers his top four characteristics of good followers.
Timeline
(00:20): Introduction.
(01:34): No. 1 – Humility.
(03:09): No. 2 – Teamwork.
(04:22): No. 3 – Work ethic.
(05:03): No. 4 – Loyalty.
(07:14): Recap.
Episode Quotes
“He who cannot be a good follower cannot be a good leader.” (Aristotle)
“Good followers are truly team players. They recognize that success is about achieving the goal, not about your personal recognition.” (Ken Trupke)
“Good followers recognize there are no winners on a losing team. No one wins unless everyone wins.” (Ken Trupke)
“Learning to be a good follower sets you up to have perspective for future leadership opportunities.” (Ken Trupke)
Recommended reading and listening
- “In Praise of Followers,” by Robert E. Kelly (Harvard Business Review)
- “The Courageous Follower: Standing up to and for our leaders,” by Ira Chaleff
- “The Art of Followership: How great followers create great leaders and organizations,” by Ronald E. Riggio, Ira Chaleff, and Jean Lipman-Blumen
- Clarity Advisors Reading List
Follow/Connect with Ken Trupke
