The Contrarian. Chapter 7

"Be a Leader, not a Follower"

I decided to create a section called THE CONTRARIAN. Here I reflect on popular phrases and take the opposite side of their fundamental premise.

Even if there are relative truths to be found in them, I propose a contrarian view to the universal wisdom they claim.

"He who cannot be a good follower, cannot be a good leader."

Aristotle

Welcome to a new edition of “Students of Leadership” today with another visit of my alter ego, The Contrarian, to talk about what many deny… that Being a Follower is the Path to True Leadership!

We live in a world that champions the individual, over-celebrates the maverick, and elevates the trailblazer, and any cost. The mantra "Don't be a follower, be a leader" has become an almost sacred tenet of success where people are told that being a follower is synonym with being a loser…

“Be a leader!”

• “Never let anyone tell you what to do, don’t be a follower, be a leader.”

• “Never be a follower, be a leader”

• “You are unique, be a leader not a follower”

• “A lion is a leader, not a follower”

• “I’m a lion, not a sheep. I’m a leader, not a follower”

• “Be a lion not a sheep, a victor not a victim, a leader not a follower”

Above some of the common “inspirational” quotes you can find on the internet about being a leader and never a follower.

What can I tell you? I find these quotes borderline brainwashing rather than inspirational to help with holistic growth! As a contrarian, if anyone would talk to me that way I’d answer… “Chill! Calm down!”

Pseudo gurus bombard young generations with the idea that in order to achieve success they must avoid the path of ‘comformity’ at all costs, and instead forge their own no matter what. “Fail fast, fail forward”. “Move fast and break things”. Lead! Where? Who? How? It doesn’t matter, you just lead!!!

Let’s put some order here

While the value of understanding what leadership is and is not from a young age is undeniable, and it’s of paramount importance to develop leadership competencies to grow as an adult and a professional; I don’t find any wisdom in this simplistic and binary way of self-talk.

This is why I came today to state that these popular expressions oversimplify the complex experiences and interdependencies between leadership and follower-ship. In fact, I double down and say that being a good follower is not only critical as a foundation to be a solid team player in a high performing environment, but it’s the first requisite to pressure test if you have true leadership fabric in you, because it will test your ability to commit to a cause larger than yourself and to control, even submit, your ego.

Knowing when and how to follow is essential to your leadership journey.

Any great leader knows that he can’t underestimate the value of having solid, battle tested follower-ship skills:

“Rare is the leadership position that is not simultaneously a position of follower-ship.”

Jeffery J. Matthews from the book The Art of Command

“First Step to Honing Leadership: Becoming an Effective Follower”

Chief Master Sgt. Jamie Prince (Air Force) 2020

“The leadership's journey often starts with the overlooked skill of follower-ship, a crucial aspect for Airmen and leaders. The Air Force's "Little Brown Book" (picture below of an enlisted woman reading it) highlights the importance of being a good follower, outlining key responsibilities and traits. Renowned author Robert Kelley in "In Praise of Followers" identifies critical follower types: Survivors who adapt and influence, Alienated followers who drive change with their critical stance, and the highly valued Effective followers, known for their analytical skills and positive contributions.

A telling example occurred during a Command Directed Investigation of a Senior Non-Commissioned Officer (SNCO) for creating a hostile work environment. The collective voice of junior personnel, embracing roles as Survivors or Alienated followers, was pivotal in leading to the SNCO's removal. This episode taught significant lessons about the power of followership.

At Barksdale, during the COVID-19 crisis, the impact of Effective followers was evident. They were key in supporting and amplifying the decisions of the 2nd Bomb Wing's leadership, demonstrating commitment and ownership in challenging times. Their role was crucial in maintaining community well-being and force readiness.

As we progress in our careers, within the Air Force or beyond, recognizing and embracing our follower-ship role is vital. It's essential to understand that leadership and follower-ship are complementary, both essential in our continuous pursuit of excellence.”

(this is a summary I wrote based on a longer text authored by Chief Master Sgt. Jamie Prince)

“Integrity first, Service before self, and Excellence in all we do”

Leadership and Follower-ship: A Delicate Balance

Leadership and follower-ship are not two opposing forces. Rather, they are interconnected sides of the same coin, each enriching and informing the other. The finest leaders are those who have honed their craft as followers and understand the nuances and types of follower-ship required in a team depending on circumstances, challenges, problems to solve and stage of evolution of the team as a high performing unit.

Nelson Mandela was once a humble follower of the anti-apartheid movement. He didn't begin as a leader; he grew into one through a profound understanding of the struggle, his people and the deep commitment to a cause larger than himself. Mandela famously said, "It is better to lead from behind and to put others in front, especially when you celebrate victory when nice things occur. You take the front line when there is danger, then people will appreciate your leadership."

The paradox of Servant Leadership is that a servant leader is both leader and follower of his people. You need to flank your people and let them flank you. Let them tell you when you need to move out of their way so you can become the most effective leader possible.

The important point I am trying to make goes beyond the obvious logic that before being a manager you need to be an individual contributor, or that irrespective of your position you can always show leadership. Those are trite truths. I go at the core of the premise challenging the tacit idea that being a follower is easy and passive, that requires very little of you. The contrarian argument puts a lot of emphasis in understanding that good follower-ship is not easy, it is nuanced and requires understanding of context and situation in order to act as an exemplary team player and an ambassador for the culture.

It is always said that “leaders create leaders, not followers” but this is the hard truth: “nobody is a leader without followers.”

The Wisdom of Follower-ship

Being a good follower is instrumental to becoming a great leaders.

Humility

Follower-ship instills the virtue of humility. To follow means to acknowledge not only that you don't have all the answers but that you need to play an important role within a team, and the development of this humility will be the bedrock of effective leadership.

"To lead people, walk beside them." Lao Tzu

Empathy

Followers understand the needs, hopes, and fears of those they follow. This empathy becomes a powerful tool when transitioning to leadership roles, as it allows leaders to connect on a deeper level with their team and to understand what they will need from each other. Empathy will be the bedrock of effective servant leadership

Teamwork

Follower-ship is the school for co-creation and collaboration. Effective leaders know that they are part of a team, and they leverage the strengths and insights of their team members to achieve shared goals. You can’t learn true team work if you have not been the one rolling up the sleeves, getting dirty in the mud and learning what it takes to be hands on under pressure.

Resilience

Followers often face challenges and setbacks. Followers often have bad bosses and not so great leaders. These are invaluable experiences to build the resilience needed to prepare them for pressure, tough decisions and adversity that leaders inevitably encounter. The more experiences you have being part of different teams and learnings from different management and leadership styles, the stronger leader you will become.

Learning

Great leaders never stop learning mainly because you are always under the pressure of becoming a better and bigger version of yourself to tackle new challenges, expanded responsibilities and higher level roles. Embracing follower-ship as the school for ongoing education, as the process of absorbing knowledge and wisdom will serve you well in life and at work.

The Paradox of Leadership and Follower-ship

The true paradox of leadership and follower-ship lies in the realization that the best leaders are, in fact, those who have mastered the art of follower-ship. They know when to step forward and lead, but they also recognize when to step back and follow, empowering others to take the lead. They know it because they’ve practiced it, not because they have to do it as a formality. They understand that leadership isn't about being at the forefront all the time; it's about guiding, nurturing, delegating, trusting, coaching, teaching and empowering those around them.

This is why "Don't be a follower, be a leader" emerges as an incomplete truth.

“Don’t be a follower, be a leader” if ever used, should only act a reminder of our potential for individual greatness, as a call to action to take the lead of our own lives in every aspect to grow and evolve, but it shouldn't get people lost in a binary argument and eclipse the importance of follower-ship.

Leading doesn't come at the expense of following.

A reader of the newsletter, a member of this community, reminded me of a phrase that captures a lot of what I am trying to say here “to be a good manager, you need to be able to be managed” (thank you Dr Nia D Thomas)

In the words of John Quincy Adams, "If your actions inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more, and become more, you are a leader." And I would add,

"If your ability to be an exceptional follower shows others how to be a great team players and inspires them to lead themselves impeccably, you are made of the finest fabrics to become a remarkable leader."

In conclusion, this is my contrarian advice:

Go work hard and develop a full arch, from follower to leader, from leader to follower.

Back and forth!

P.S. Before I go, here you have “The Treat,” where I share some of the music that kept me company while writing … Enjoy as you bid farewell to this post

“Lead yourself, Learn to live. Lead others, Learn to Build.”

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