Leadership has long been a hot topic in academic and professional settings but what about followership? As I’ve explored in my current doctoral research, the relationship between leaders and followers is more dynamic, nuanced, and essential than we often realize. In this post, I share an excerpt from my recent paper that dives into the evolving definitions of both roles and why they matter now more than ever.
Leadership and followership are both essential to the effectiveness of organizations, yet they remain complex and often contested concepts. Scholars have long acknowledged that leadership is difficult to define because it varies depending on context, the relationship between leaders and followers, and the values of those studying it. As leadership expert Peter Northouse explains, the definition of leadership is influenced by the researcher’s perspective, assumptions, and worldview.
While leadership has dominated academic and organizational conversations for decades, followership has only recently gained attention as a vital and distinct field of study. In the late 1980s, Robert Kelley was one of the first to challenge the idea of followers as passive subordinates. Instead, he introduced the concept of followers as active, independent thinkers who contribute meaningfully to organizational success.
Since then, scholars like Ira Chaleff and Barbara Kellerman have expanded this conversation by highlighting follower agency, moral responsibility, and the importance of speaking up even challenging leadership when necessary. Their work has helped shift the narrative from “leaders lead, followers follow” to something far more collaborative and dynamic.
As Peter Northouse explains, the definition of leadership is often influenced by the researcher’s perspective, assumptions, and worldview.
So why does this matter? Because our expectations of leaders and followers are changing. Today’s organizations require more from both roles—more clarity, more accountability, and more partnership. And yet, debates over what exactly defines leadership and followership continue. These definitions are socially constructed and often shaped by cultural context, industry norms, and even generational expectations.
Understanding how these roles have evolved and continue to evolve helps us navigate power, responsibility, and influence more effectively in our workplaces and communities.
How do you define leadership in your own context? Have you ever found yourself in a followership role that challenged your assumptions about influence or responsibility? I’d love to hear your perspective; feel free to share in the comments.
If you’re interested in exploring more on this topic, here are a few recommended sources:
- Leadership: Theory and Practice by Peter G. Northouse
- The Power of Followership by Robert Kelley
- The Courageous Follower by Ira Chaleff
- Followership: How Followers Are Creating Change and Changing Leaders by Barbara Kellerman
