During the course of this article it talks and preaches the idea that most of us are not leaders in fact majority of our population is followers. In the article it expresses an opinion saying, “So followership dominates our love and organizations, but not our thinking, because our preoccupation with leadership keeps us from considering the nature and the importance of the follower.” This brought me to the Idea of “groupthink” a little bit because we are all filled with an idea or an opinion of the leader whether that be negative or positive. So in return we are all opinionated on how to lead and most people will sit back and reflect on how much better that leader could be doing meanwhile they aren’t doing anything about the situation but criticizing.
The article more stresses on the component of how to be a good follower. TO be a good follower one must be intelligent, in order to attain the information from the follower, and enthusiastic, and reliant for participation. Otherwise, the leader gets no reaction on how good or bad they are performing. Also in the artcicle it mentions how even when we are in a leadership position we are still following because for every committee we chair, there are several other members.
I think the fact that this article stresses how to be a good follower is very important, as being a good follower is just important as being a good leader. The group needs everyone to play their role so that it functions and grows as time goes on.
I liked your connection to “group think”. Like groupthink, not saying anything and speaking one’s mind is an issue in both of these situations. Like you said, when you mentioned that many are just “doing nothing” and “criticizing”, these actions are not constructive nor advocating for a better way.
I think that its interesting that you brought up the idea that no one is fully a leader, somewhere, someone has some sort of influence over you and is in some capacity a leader. Also, I agree with Jesse, your groupthink relation is sound. Groupthink opinions could be the reason that this phenomenon occurs.