by Sunday Akinrelere, HTCI Fellow
More often than not, leaders emerge by election, selection, or responsibility but as a matter of fact, true leadership is not by position. It predicated by a sense of responsibility.
It is generally believed, just like the words of John C. Maxwell, that everything rises and falls on leadership. This invariably means that every success or failure can be attributed to the leader. While this assertion is true to a reasonable extent, it will be erroneous to think that followers do not have a role to play in the success or failure of a system.
Much has been said about leadership, but less has been said about followership. It should be noted that followership is a pathway to leadership. Therefore, every good leader was once a good follower and every bad leader was once a bad follower.
Now to the question; who bears the responsibility: the leaders or the followers? This is an age-long question that has poured in several answers from the citizenry. Most people believe that leaders are our problem while a smaller percentage think the responsibility for a better society rests on the followers.
Let us take a closer look at both positions.
The Leaders as the Problem
Leaders are expected to chart the course in their thoughts, plans, visions and responsibilities. A leader’s actions influences the decisions of others, and is required to go the extra mile in making sacrifices for the followers, knowing fully well that they are the key players in the team. When these qualities or expectations are lacking, the leader becomes a problem.
Consider the following:
1. The leaders are our problem when they give opportunities to those who don’t deserve it, while those who are qualified by all standards are deprived.
2. The leaders are our problem when they lack clear and compelling vision and mission statements. What most of our leaders claim to be their vision is just a wish that lacks direction, and the few who have visions do not share the visions with like-minded people who can work with them as a team in bringing the vision to fruition.
3. The leaders are our problem when they are not accountable to their followers or team members, having the mindset that there is nobody to be accountable to, since they are the superior in the organisation or community.
4. The leaders are our problem when there is unequal and unfair dispensation of justice.
5. The leaders are our problem when they intentionally appoint the wrong persons to fill their cabinet, for selfish reasons.
6. The leaders are our problem when we value foreign products more than our local products, despite being blessed with the raw materials or natural resources that are left untapped.
7. The leaders are our problem when the leaders enjoy security while the led are exposed to bandits.
The practical illustrations are endless as one can go on citing different instances why leaders should bear the responsibility of the failed state of the country.
But we must also consider a different perspective.
The Followers as the Problem
A follower is expected to adhere to given instructions and assist the leader in executing their vision. They are not expected to be passive as they have their part to play in the organisation or society. When these qualities or expectations are lacking, the follower becomes a problem.
Consider the following:
- The followers are our problem when they misuse their democratic power when electing who becomes their leader. They deliberately silence their conscience for a morsel, thereby mortgaging their future.
- The followers are our problem when they are not law-abiding. They break simple rules that a good citizen should abide by, such as traffic rules, at work, etc.
- The followers are the problem when their whip up sentiments, sow seeds of discord and sabotage progressive interventions to maintain the status quo that benefits their interests.
In conclusion, it is clear that both parties contribute to the problems we currently face. Although, the responsibility of ensuring compliance with the laws of the land rest with the leaders. We can, therefore, conclude that leaders are our problem but not without the tacit approval of the followers. So, what are you doing today to show your disapproval? How are you actively engaging to seek accountability from our leaders? And as a leader, what standards are you holding yourself to?
