Leadership is a concept that gets thrown around a lot. Everyone wants to be a leader. We glorify CEOs, athletes, political figures, and even influencers as paragons of leadership. But in all this, we forget something crucial—followership is just as important as leadership.
At its core, every great leader was once a great follower. In sports, players follow the guidance of coaches. In business, employees work under managers who once worked under someone else. Even in society, we take cues from those before us—our teachers, mentors, and elders. Leadership isn’t about dominance; it’s about responsibility. Followership isn’t about submission; it’s about trust.
The Personal Team of “You”
The problem is, too many people want to dictate without ever mastering themselves. They want to lead before they learn how to follow. They want to force their worldview on others before refining it within themselves.
True leadership starts with personal discipline. The team of “You” needs structure before you can expect to influence others. That means:
- Setting goals and achieving them – No one follows a leader who can’t accomplish anything.
- Knowing when to listen and when to act – The best leaders are great listeners first.
- Holding yourself accountable – Before pointing fingers outward, take a hard look at your own life.
When you master these things, leadership happens naturally. You don’t have to force it. Others will gravitate toward you because they see something worth following.
Why We Struggle With Leadership Today
A big part of the problem today is a refusal to accept roles. Too many people reject structure because they fear the responsibility that comes with it. Instead of seeing leadership and followership as complementary, people frame them as a power struggle. But structure isn’t oppression—it’s what makes the world function.
We see this struggle in business, in politics, even in personal relationships. Everyone wants to be “right,” but few want to be accountable for what “right” actually means. Leaders need to lead with clarity, and followers need to follow with trust. If those two things don’t exist, chaos takes over.
The Leadership Crisis in Identity
There’s another layer to this crisis: identity. When people are uncertain of who they are, how can they lead or follow effectively? If you don’t know what direction you’re facing, how can you guide others or trust someone else’s guidance?
This isn’t just about politics—it’s about having a strong foundation. Whether you’re a leader or a follower, having clarity in your own purpose makes all the difference. Without that, you drift. You become reactionary instead of intentional. And worst of all, you become easily manipulated by those who do have clarity—whether they’re leading for good or for bad.
The Path Forward
So what’s the solution? How do we get back to a world where leadership and followership are respected instead of misunderstood?
- Master yourself first. If you can’t control your own habits, emotions, and mindset, how can you expect to influence anyone else?
- Recognize the value of followership. No great athlete, soldier, or professional ever got anywhere without first learning under someone better than them.
- Seek structure, not chaos. Order creates progress. No civilization, company, or team ever won by rejecting structure.
- Be intentional about your identity. Know who you are and where you stand, and don’t let the world tell you otherwise.
Great societies, great businesses, and great people are built on the balance of leadership and followership. The sooner we reclaim that balance, the sooner we move forward.
Food for thought.
