Qualities of a Good Follower

(i) Good Communication Skill: A good follower shall learn to speak up when necessary. He offers his opinion on issues which can direct the leaders. A follower shall know how to persuade the leaders into action.

(ii) Hardworking:  Followers shall not be docileready to accept control or instruction, easy to persuade; submissive. More. Followers shall be diligent and committed to the organization.

(iii) Courageous: Followers must be courageous enough to confront and challenge the leaders especially when they feel the leaders are derailing.

(iv) Loyalty: Followers must show strong allegiance and commitment to the organization or their leaders.

(v) Knowledge: Followers must have relevant knowledge and skills to follow the leaders. They do not need to follow the leaders blindly if they are knowledgeable. They need to know the objective of the organization and the leaders’ expectations of them.

(vi) Proactive and take initiative: Followers need not wait until they are instructed. They should use their initiative.

(vii) Enlightenment: Followers are well informed of their roles, roles of the leaders, objectives and activities of the organization.

(viii) Participatory Follower: Followers are not to be aloof but take an active part in carrying out their duties in the organization.

(ix) Law-abiding and Respect Constitutional Authority: A good follower must respect the leader.

Roles of Followers:

• Check the excesses of the Leader: Effective followers ensure the leaders carry out their duties. They check bad leaders.

• Contribute to Public Decision-Making: Followers take part in decision-making. They vote in elections to elect their leaders.

• Election of Leaders: Followers choose their leaders, at times through free and fair elections.

• Execution of Policy: Followers ensure that organizational policies are carried out.

• Hold the Leaders accountable and responsible: The followers ensure that leaders account for their stewardship in office.

• Support the Leader: Followers must give support, acceptance, and co-operation to the leaders to ensure the achievement of organizational goals.

• Respect Constituted Authority: Followers must respect constituted authorities, (the leaders). Only then can they work together to achieve stated goals.