By Staff Reporters
"He who cannot be a good follower cannot be a good leader."
This enduring piece of wisdom, long attributed to the ancient Greek philosopher Aristotle, remains a cornerstone of organizational philosophy. It is a principle actively advocated, taught, and drilled by high-performing sports teams, military branches, and effective institutions worldwide. Yet, in modern society, the concept of following is frequently misunderstood, often conflated with blind obedience or a weak surrender of personal agency.
To understand effective leadership, one must first examine the dynamics of followership. Young people, in particular, frequently display a psychological tendency to engage in irresponsible, sometimes harmful behavior simply to fit in with a social clique. Driven by underlying feelings of insecurity, they conform to peer groups, occasionally partaking in valueless or destructive activities such as vaping, drinking, and recreational drug use. In these instances, individuals act like sheep, errantly following the herd off the metaphorical side of a cliff in exchange for a short-term, entirely false sense of security and belonging.
However, social conformity is not inherently negative. Adhering to a principled, value-based group—such as a dedicated community organization, a religious institution, or a tightly knit athletic team—can yield profound personal and professional advantages. As detailed by anthropologist Michael Tomasello in his acclaimed 2003 book Becoming Human: A Theory of Ontogeny, the human capacity to learn, conform to, and imitate cultural norms is a uniquely evolutionary adaptation. This social alignment enables and sustains the valued principles of cooperative entities, allowing complex societies to function and thrive.
Making the Right Decision
Conformity, therefore, requires discernment. Aligning with the correct herd can move individuals toward long-term, meaningful outcomes, whereas wrong herd behavior typically yields the opposite. Navigating this dynamic presents a lifelong dilemma: choosing which groups to join or reject, and deciding which behaviors to imitate or resist. To follow or not to follow remains a perennial question for individuals across every stage of life.
Making a correct and meaningful choice is fundamentally a contextual decision-making process. This approach is heavily emphasized by Acceptance and Commitment Training (ACT), a psychological framework that trains individuals to align their actions with what matters most through value-based choices and behavior. Engaging in behaviors like smoking marijuana, participating in online rage-baiting, or adopting destructive habits simply to assimilate into a peer group falls far short of qualifying as meaningful living.
Effective team members and leaders share a common anchor: an ability to adhere to and model the defining principles of an organization driven by a meaningful purpose. They participate in a collective group, but not one that leads its members into oblivion. Furthermore, successful individuals practice a form of followership that does not deter them from pursuing their own ambitious goals. They operate much like a G.O.A.T.—the Greatest of All Time—relentlessly climbing their unique path up a mountain in pursuit of personal achievement, while remaining dedicated team players.
Adhering to principled living within a group setting is the core definition of followership, a concept that organizational researchers have analyzed extensively to determine what makes groups truly effective.
"Followership" Defined
Scholars have dedicated considerable literature to explaining the mechanics of effective followership. Examining the foundational work of researchers S. L. Kleinsmith and S. Everts-Rogers, published in the year 2000, highlights several vital aspects of constructive followership within any organization.
First and foremost, a strong follower must act as a genuine team player, concentrating heavily on the common goals and shared values of the organization. Second, they must demonstrate a strong work ethic, consistently contributing effort rather than remaining a passive observer. Third, effective followers possess high positive self-regard while maintaining elevated expectations for their own performance. Fourth, they project optimism to those around them, fostering a resilient collective mindset. Fifth, they practice high levels of interpersonal intelligence, navigating complex social dynamics with grace and awareness.
Expanding on these principles, the late Warren Bennis, a prolific and influential writer on leadership and organizational behavior, contributed a critical addition to the definition of effective followership. Bennis argued that a true follower must possess the willingness to tell the truth—sharing factual information and honest opinions with leaders, even when those truths are difficult to hear. Speaking out respectfully and honestly requires considerable courage, yet it remains indispensable for preventing organizational failure.
A Sports Point of View
Well-run athletic organizations and sports teams rely heavily on clear, value-based guidelines and behavioral expectations. In sports, as in life, there are clear boundaries regarding what to support and what to reject. Knowing when to follow team protocols and when to stand apart is critical to competitive success.
Principled actions within a team environment include supporting teammates through adversity, holding one’s self and others accountable to high training standards, respecting coaching staff, and prioritizing collective victory over individual statistics. These actions demonstrate genuine adherence to team expectations and rapidly earn the respect of everyone associated with the organization.
Conversely, players must recognize what not to follow: a toxic herd mentality that encourages cutting corners during training, disrespecting opponents or officials, or engaging in off-field misconduct. Participating in these behaviors represents a direct violation of team ethics, sportsmanship, and legal standards. Those who partake are simply behaving like clueless sheep rather than disciplined athletes.
A Religious Perspective
The complexities of followership extend far beyond the athletic arena and into spiritual and community spaces. A poignant quip often shared among community observers captures the duality of institutional participation: "If you want to see how truly religious someone is, don’t watch them in church; watch them in the parking lot after church."
This astute observation highlights a widespread human contradiction. Many individuals regularly attend religious services and carefully follow the customs, rituals, and traditions of their respective faiths. While this can be beneficial if it assists in virtuous living, the true test occurs outside the sanctuary. When individuals leave formal services, some may engage in unethical practices, such as cheating on their taxes, deceiving their spouses, or displaying prejudice toward others.
Such behavior stands in stark contrast to the moral virtues espoused by reputable religious traditions. Individuals who believe that merely abiding by surface-level rituals makes them righteous—while ignoring the core ethical mandates of their faith—are operating under a flawed premise. They mirror the behavior of misguided sheep who mistake ritualistic conformity for genuine moral character.
At the End of the Day
Ultimately, following remains a highly valued process provided it leads to principled standards of behavior and does not interfere with the pursuit of a meaningful life. Thoughtlessly conforming to peer pressure simply to fit in and alleviate feelings of insecurity frequently leads to lifelong disappointment, offering only a fleeting sense of security at a high personal cost.
By executing the vital aspects of followership, individuals can achieve effectiveness and demonstrate quality leadership across sports, business, and community endeavors. Aligning one’s actions with the moral guidelines and core principles of a team, organization, or faith ensures a fulfilling and purposeful existence.
As the ongoing metaphor suggests, ambitious achievers climb mountains striving for the summit, adhering strictly to principled behavior even when moving within a collective group. Sheep, by contrast, simply follow the herd wherever it leads. Striving for personal excellence while maintaining strong, principled commitments is the true mark of the G.O.A.T.
