The Leadership Fallacy: Why Followership is the Real Superpower
In today’s culture, we are inundated with messages glorifying leadership. Books, podcasts, and seminars relentlessly emphasize the importance of becoming a leader. Leadership is portrayed as the pinnacle of success—the ultimate achievement. Yet, this obsession with leadership has created a fundamental misconception: that everyone can lead, and worse, that everyone should lead.
The reality is that not everyone is cut out to lead, and more importantly, not everyone needs to. There’s an unsung superpower in organizations and teams that often gets overlooked: followership. It’s time to reframe how we view the role of followers and their essential contribution to success.
The Power of Followership
Followership has been unfairly saddled with a negative connotation. It’s often equated with passivity or a lack of ambition. However, being a great follower requires incredible skill, self-awareness, and dedication. Consider this: the greatest achievements in history have been accomplished not by solitary leaders but by well-orchestrated teams of top performers who knew when to lead and when to follow.
Take Michael Jordan, widely regarded as the greatest basketball player of all time. His incredible talent brought the Chicago Bulls six NBA championships, but Jordan himself has repeatedly credited Phil Jackson, the team’s coach, for his success. Jackson’s leadership gave Jordan the structure and strategy to excel. Jordan was the ultimate performer on the court, but he followed Jackson’s vision off of it.
Similarly, Tom Brady—a seven-time Super Bowl champion—is an icon of football greatness. Yet Brady thrived under the guidance of Bill Belichick, one of the NFL’s most successful coaches. Brady’s willingness to trust Belichick’s system and philosophy played a crucial role in his legacy.
Even elite units like the Navy SEALs—groups composed of top-tier performers—emphasize the necessity of followership. In any mission, while all members are exceptionally skilled, there is always a clear chain of command. Decisions come from one lead, and the unit’s effectiveness relies on everyone’s ability to execute and support that leader. In their world, followership isn’t just a skill; it’s a matter of life and death.
The Leadership Fallacy in Business
Unfortunately, the business world has yet to embrace this mindset fully. Companies are so preoccupied with cultivating leaders that they often fail to recognize or reward the exceptional followers who are the backbone of organizational success. Worse, the current culture pits leaders against one another in a destructive competition that fractures teams and stifles collaboration.
The focus needs to shift. Organizations must understand that top performers don’t always need to be in leadership positions to drive impact. Supporting a leader effectively—lifting them up and executing their vision—can be even more valuable than leading. Great followership strengthens leaders and, in turn, makes the entire team more effective.
Building a Culture That Celebrates Followership
To create a high-performing organization, companies must do the following:
Recognize the Value of Followership Start by redefining success. Instead of focusing exclusively on leadership potential, celebrate employees who excel in their roles and make their leaders better. Create awards or incentives for those who consistently demonstrate exceptional support, teamwork, and execution.
Teach the Principles of Followership Companies invest heavily in leadership training, but few offer training on followership. Equip employees with the tools and mindset to become great followers. Teach them how to support their leaders, provide constructive feedback, and contribute to the overall vision.
Shift the Narrative Followership needs a rebrand. Highlight examples of successful individuals who achieved greatness by excelling as followers. Showcase stories like those of Michael Jordan and Tom Brady to underscore the power of followership.
Reward Collaboration, Not Competition Eliminate practices that encourage employees to compete for leadership roles at the expense of teamwork. Instead, reward behaviors that improve the organization’s overall performance, such as collaboration, mentorship, and adherence to shared goals.
Encourage Leaders to Lift Followers Great leaders recognize that their success depends on their team. Encourage leaders to invest in their followers, empowering them to perform at their best while creating a culture of mutual respect and support.
The Bottom Line
Followership isn’t about submission or mediocrity. It’s about alignment, execution, and the willingness to put the team’s goals ahead of individual ambition. Just as not everyone can lead, not everyone should lead. But everyone can—and should—learn how to follow with excellence.
By shifting the narrative and creating a culture that values followership, businesses can unlock untapped potential within their teams. It’s time to recognize that being a great follower isn’t a weakness; it’s a strength. After all, even the most legendary leaders—from athletes to executives—have achieved their greatness with the unwavering support of exceptional followers.
-Tony
