Leaders And Followers
In multiple professions, leaders might lead in one situation, but follow in another. For example, a manager might lead a specific team but still report up to a director, or a member of upper management, in a follower capacity. Consider what you read in the module resources, then consider your own past and current roles. Describe a time when you were a leader or a follower on a team in a given situation.In your initial post, do the following:
In the subject line of your post, indicate whether you are providing an example of yourself as a leader or a follower.
Briefly describe the situation.
Indicate why you feel you were either a leader or a follower in the given situation.
Respond to at least two of your peers. If you gave an example of yourself as a follower, try to respond to someone who gave an example as a leader, and vice versa. Then, take the position of someone on the team in a leader or follower role and discuss the following:
Identify your role as either a leader or a follower.
Discuss the impact your role would have on the situation and the team.
Sample Solution
- Read through your peers' posts carefully. Pay attention to whether they were a leader or follower and the specific situation they described.
- Identify areas of connection or contrast. Did you encounter a similar situation? Did your roles differ? How did the dynamics within your team compare?
- Offer thoughtful feedback. Share your insights and perspectives on their experience. You could:
- Validate their leadership or follower behavior. Provide evidence from their description that supports their self-identification.
- Offer alternative perspectives. Could their actions also be interpreted as embodying another leadership or follower style?
Full Answer Section
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- Explore the impact of their role. Discuss how their actions shaped the team's dynamics or influenced the outcome of the situation.
- Ask questions to deepen the discussion. Show your genuine interest in their experience and encourage them to elaborate on specific aspects of their story.
Taking the position of someone on the team:
- Clearly state your chosen role (leader or follower). Briefly explain your reasoning and how you envision yourself contributing to the situation.
- Describe the impact your role would have on the situation. Consider:
- Communication: How would you communicate with other team members? Would you take initiative or follow instructions?
- Decision-making: How would you approach decision-making processes? Would you defer to others or offer your own ideas?
- Problem-solving: How would you tackle challenges or obstacles? Would you lead the way or offer support to others?
- Discuss the impact on the team. Think about how your role would influence:
- Team cohesion: Would you promote collaboration and unity?
- Morale: Would you encourage and motivate others?
- Productivity: Would you help the team achieve its goals efficiently?
Remember, there are no right or wrong answers in this exercise. The goal is to reflect on your own experiences and gain a deeper understanding of the dynamic relationship between leadership and followership within teams. By engaging with your peers' stories and considering different perspectives, you can explore the nuances of these roles and how they contribute to successful team collaboration.