Robert E Kelley In Praise Of Followers

“In praise of followers” by Robert E. Kelley was a very interesting article, the author premise is that “Organizations stand or fall partly on the basis of how their leaders lead but partly also on the basis of how their followers follow” is a true and practical statement because without people understanding the vision of their leader, there is no way they would want to be a part of an organization. Fundamentally, I do believe that for an organization or a corporation to function successfully leadership matter greatly, but even more importantly is the ones to be directed by the leader. Companies concentrate so much on finding great leaders, that they forget the importance of effective followers. Basically, failure to see the importance of followers will impact the success or failure of an organization.
The duty of all organizations or corporations is to ensure effective camaraderie, and use their resources to comprehend the nature of a follower and what makes them function effectively. At some points in our careers we find ourselves as leader’s weather it is for a project or an assignment. In that particular time we depend on our groups to work to the best of

their abilities and eventually complete or assignments with accuracy and lack of confusion. Moral and motivation plays an important part in an organization, Motivation plays a major in defining the role but this is not enough since people with different motivations can still perform equally better..
Ultimately, the reflection made by Robert E. Kelley that great followers should be able to manage themselves, and have the ability of self-management to be effective followers, is positively true. In addition, effective followers are dedicated to an organization. They are able to build their own competency and inspiration, in an effort to make a noticeable imprint in the market place, which allows their companies to compete against major organizations and corporations. Companies need courageous, honest and credible employees who set themselves apart from others by showing enthusiasm, intelligence and loyalty.
In conclusion I believe in the theory that the role of an effective follower fluctuate, some identify the employee’s role as their primary role at work others are just leaders who choose to be followers based on their environment of work.

I see this type of behavior on a regular basis in our company. The managers that allow their teams to follow are most times driven by ambition. They do well with the sole purpose of rising through the corporate ladder. They see followership as a necessity. However, he/she most times believe they can be effective if they accept the value of learning the role and not asserting it. In my opinion these are the managers to move up the ranks and are well liked by their employees. In essence, leaders that have followers and not workers are distain to be

great.