Robert Kelley (1992), author of The Power of Followership

Sample Solution

  I believe that I am an effective follower because I am:

• Trustworthy: I am someone who can be counted on to follow through on my commitments. I am honest and reliable, and I always do my best to uphold the values and goals of the team or organization.
• Respectful: I respect my leaders and colleagues, even when I disagree with them. I am open to hearing their ideas and perspectives, and I am willing to compromise when necessary.
• Proactive: I am not afraid to take initiative and ask questions. I am always looking for ways to improve my performance and contribute to the team.

Full Answer Section

 

• Adaptable: I am able to adapt to change and new situations. I am flexible and willing to go the extra mile to get the job done.

Here are some examples of how I have demonstrated these qualities as a follower:

• When I was working as a project manager, I was able to successfully complete a complex project on time and within budget. I was able to do this by working closely with my team, communicating effectively with my stakeholders, and being proactive in identifying and addressing challenges.
• In my current role as a software engineer, I am always looking for ways to improve my code and make it more efficient. I am also willing to help my colleagues when they are struggling with a problem.

Strengths and weaknesses as a follower

I believe that my strengths as a follower include:

• My ability to work independently and as part of a team
• My ability to communicate effectively
• My ability to learn quickly
• My ability to adapt to change

My weaknesses as a follower include:

• I can sometimes be too critical of myself and others
• I can sometimes be hesitant to speak up in meetings
• I can sometimes be too focused on details and lose sight of the big picture

Actions to improve followership skills

To improve my followership skills, I am committed to:

• Being more confident in my abilities: I am going to start by acknowledging my strengths and weaknesses. I will also start to take more risks and be more assertive in my communication.
• Being more open-minded: I am going to try to be more open to new ideas and perspectives. I will also try to be more understanding of my leaders and colleagues.
• Being more proactive: I am going to start by taking more initiative and asking questions. I will also start to look for ways to improve my performance and contribute to the team.

How being an effective follower translates to effective leadership

I believe that being an effective follower is essential for effective leadership. Effective followers understand the importance of teamwork, communication, and respect. They are also willing to learn and grow, and they are always looking for ways to improve their performance.