The best leaders are also great followers. To excel in the latter role requires three important things. The first is commitment and discipline to be a star in your role. When asked why he dominated games 5 and 6 in the area of rebounding during this year’s NBA Finals, Cleveland Cavaliers power forward Tristan Thompson responded, “Our team leader, LeBron James, told each of us, ‘be a star in your role.’ So that’s what I try to do every night.” The second ingredient you need to be a great follower is humility. You must humble yourself to do what best serves the community without thinking about what’s in it for you. Great followers are able to find joy and peace in doing whatever is needed to contribute to the mission. No task is too small. And the third requirement is a willingness to show up free of your ego. Ego can undermine a community and team chemistry. Great leaders and followers understand that our ego makes us susceptible to jealousy, envy, judgment and gossip. And the ego can’t stand for others to get credit. When challenges hit, people who are led by ego look for someone to blame instead of rallying around each other. True leaders and great followers rid themselves of ego. They give themselves fully to the goal and make their team and community the only thing that matters.
History is filled with sports teams, organizations and communities who have the three traits of great followers. As a result, they thrive and achieve remarkable feats. They may not always win or place first, but they always grow and make the community better through their efforts. They have an ability to shut out the outside noise and focus on the task at hand. They understand that negative self-talk and hateful statements by others is none of their business. Their focus is on members inside their community and the goal. And they give their very best to both.
In every great follower, I see an awesome leader. They are all around us. I witness them at our workouts. They are the ones who show up early to set up for the training session or stay after their workout to support the next group. They encourage people squatting while they are lunging by. When everyone stops to talk, they are looking for ways to contribute more. If they don’t see any, they ask what more can they do. I’ve noticed people like this my whole life and strive to be like them.
It’s easy to perform when you are the one who organized an event. It’s expected of you. But what about when you’re not the designated leader? When I am in the role of follower, I look for ways to contribute while showing respect to the instructor. In classes led by Amy, Susan, Sharon and Cristina, I adjust fans to keep people cool, help members into the TRX straps, grab any needed equipment and encourage. When I am invited to someone’s home as a guest, I ask how can I be of service. And if food has been served, I do the dishes before leaving. I want to make a contribution wherever I go.
I am convinced that to be a true leader, you must also be a great follower. It’s not either/or. In fact, the definitions of both require you to be the other as well. I am fortunate to be in a community of many people who are both. They are stars in their role. I love our community.
Stronger Mindset!
Keith