We contend that if you want to be a great leader, you must first become a great follower. This Although it is rarely discussed, this is where almost all of historyโs greatest leaders got their start.
This is one of the admirable column by popular columnist Michael Hyatt in Your Virtual Mentor website.
Joshua followed Moses for more than forty years before he led the children of Israel into the promised land. Elisha served Elijah for ten years before he took up his masterโs mantle and went on to perform even more miracles.
The Apostle Peter followed Jesus for three yearsโand made a lot of mistakesโbefore he and his fellow-disciples โturned the world upside downโ (see Acts 17:6).
So what does a great follower look like? I would suggest great followers share at least five characteristics:
They are clear.
They understand their role. You canโt be a good follower unless you have clearly identified the leader. While you may be a leader in your own realm, everyone has a bossโincluding you. Great followers not only accept this fact but embrace it.They are obedient. While obedience may be a politically incorrect concept, it is essential for organizational effectiveness. No one should be allowed to give orders who canโt obey orders. This is how great leaders model to their own followers the standards of acceptable behavior.
They are servants. This is crucial. Great followers are observant. They notice what needs to be done to help the leader accomplish his or her goals. Then they do itโjoyfully, without grumbling or complaining.
They are humble. Great followers donโt make it about them. They are humble. They shine the light on the leader. They make their own boss look goodโespecially in front of his or her boss.
They are loyal. I have written on this before. Great followers never speak ill of their boss in public. This doesnโt mean they canโt disagree or even criticize. It just means that they donโt do it in public. Great followers understand that public loyalty leads to private influence.
We feel like we only scratched the surface. If you want to be a great leader, begin by asking, โHow can I be a better follower?โ or โHow can I make my boss more successful?โ