Is it better to be a good follower or a bad leader?
Although leadership is often portrayed as a glamorous career destination , being put in a position of power or responsibility is by no means an indicator of your ability to actually lead effectively . In fact, decades of research highlight an uncomfortable and pervasive gap between the leaders we have, and those we actually need. Indeed, some of the traits that help people emerge as leaders…
The topic of whether being a good follower or a bad leader is preferable is a complex one. Decades of research show a significant gap between the leaders we have and the ones we need. Certain traits that lead to leadership emergence, like narcissism, do not necessarily correlate with leadership effectiveness. Corporate managers have a high failure rate, and there is a growing decline in confidence in leaders, along with negative correlations between money spent on improving leaders and people's faith in them.
Employee disengagement, often caused by direct supervisors, is another issue. If only a minority of leaders can perform well, should fewer people strive for leadership positions? However, the importance of good followers cannot be overlooked. Their presence and competence contribute to the success of teams and organizations, as seen in professional sports and political elections. Good followership involves qualities such as judgment, integrity, self-awareness, courage, and the ability to work effectively with others.
While being a good follower may benefit others but not necessarily the individual in terms of career success, being a bad leader could lead to personal gains at the expense of others. A better approach is to view leadership and followership as complementary rather than opposing forces. Good followers exhibit the same qualities desired in leaders, such as self-awareness and the ability to work with others.
Organizations would likely improve if they placed more emphasis on teaching individual contributors how to contribute, cooperate, and occasionally disagree with their leaders.
Ultimately, the question of whether being a good follower or a bad leader is better depends on whether the outcome is judged on one's own interests or the interests of others. While being a good follower can benefit others, it may limit personal career success in corporate settings. Conversely, being a bad leader may bring short-term gains in status and prestige but at the cost of others.
The real issue lies in the fact that careers often prioritize leadership as the ultimate proof of professional success, rather than recognizing the importance of exceptional individual contributors.
Written by urgent.news from Fast Company's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
