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How to be a better follower

This article discusses ways to motivate and make great followers.

In the previous steps, you learned recent theoretical approaches of followership view followers as co-producers of leadership.

Through your experience as a leader or a follower you certainly realised that knowing and understanding what motivates a leader is a great way for followers to manage from the bottom up.

Great followers treat their leaders as partners and collaborate with them toward the same mission and goal. Followers’ ability to understand what motivates their leaders can help the leader thrive.

Here are some tactics for managing as a follower and creating a healthy and successful relationship with your leader.

Be a Resource for the Leader	Help the Leader Be a Good Leader
Determine the leader’s needs.	Ask for advice.
Zig where the leader zags.	Tell leader what you think.
Tell leader about you.	Find things to thank leader for.
Align self to team purpose/vision.

Build a Relationship	View the Leader Realistically
Ask about leader at your level/position.	Give up idealized leader images.
Welcome feedback and criticism.	Don’t hide anything.
Ask leader to tell you company stories.	Don’t criticize leader to others.
	Disagree occasionally.