Kelley’s article explains and elaborates on the thought that “we tend to lose sight of the people these leaders will lead”. The article does a good job on highlighting the importance of followers and how vital they are to a groups success.
Something that stuck out to me in the article is that essentially, everyone is a follower unless they have achieved a leadership position like a CEO. In many cases, one might be a leader of a certain group. However, they serve as a follower to another group. Many people strive to climb the corporate ladder, but wouldn’t that be toxic towards the groups success. If someone is focused on how to create greater success for themselves, rather than focusing on the group task at hand, wouldn’t that create negative side effects to productivity?
Another point that was interesting was that “self-confident followers see colleagues as allies and leaders as equals”. After reading this, it also made me question why the follower doesn’t desire a leadership role if they view themselves as equals. Or rather that the follower uses this tactic for self-confidence in order to be more successful as a follower for the group which is also practical.
That last quote you mentioned is very interesting. To answer your questions, I think the reason why self-confident followers don’t desire a higher position is exactly because they are content with the one they already possess.
In response to your first question, yes it would create a negative side effect to productivity. I believe that Kelley mentions that followers who are more focused on accomplishing the group goal will be more successful and helpful, which will naturally lead to them having greater success.
Self-confident followers are satisfied with the role they play in the group. However, with a self confident follower comes an effective leader.
The last quote which you included is a key aspect of all leader/follower relationships. This self-confidence is a major component of what makes followers significant in these dynamics.
I was also struck by the idea that even people who are leaders fill follower roles. A person might be the CEO of a company but be a member of the PTA and report to someone in that organization. When we re-frame the idea of followership, it becomes a much more important and exciting role.