Preface

Most books about leadership either do not mention followership at all or just touch lightly on the topic. More often than not leadership books review leadership theories and traits and characteristics of leaders. All of this information is important and worth knowing, but there is more to the leadership equation. This book is about the other side of the equal sign, followership.

Followers usually go unheralded when it comes time to pass out accolades for achieving a difficult goal. But the goal would not have been met if there were no followers doing the work, such as making the sales or whatever the job requires. One of the necessary items required by a leader is exemplary followers to complete the task or goal at hand. Followers dominate all organizations, but a preoccupation with the leader hinders the consideration of the importance of followers and the relationship between followers and leaders. This book is about how to become a better leader by becoming a better follower.

I begin with two introductory chapters, Leadership Theory and ­Followership Theory. With the foundation laid, I provide a chapter about how to prepare for the job you would like to have and how to improve your performance in your current position. The remaining chapters of the book are to help you understand what is required of you in order to be an exemplary follower. You will learn how to communicate, demonstrate initiative, maintain a positive mental attitude, accept personal responsibility for your actions, learn how to solve problems, and finally you will learn how to determine how you fit within your team, whatever your team may be.

The writing style of this book is lively and easy to read. I kept the technical jargon at a minimum and provided many examples throughout the book to hold the reader’s attention. In Chapter 3, I provide tips to help you to prepare for any job or position you intend to have, and to help you understand your personal motivation, I provide a survey as a ­diagnostic tool. Additionally, I have provided useful suggestions to add to your tool box with chapters that will help you with communication, ­initiative, ­positive mental attitude, personal responsibility, ­problem-solving, and teamwork.