Discuss the similarities and differences between leadership and followership.

Used examples to aid in your explanation

 

Discuss the similarities and differences between leadership and followership.

Used examples to aid in your explanation

Similarities

1. They both have to be responsive, whether in regard to the leaders responsiveness to the needs of group members or a followers responsiveness to the demands of higher levels of authority within an organizational structure.
2. There can be both popular or not popular leaders as well as followers - Leaders and followers have something in common, particularly when they are valued as individuals by group members, making them popular. Or when they are not valued, making them less popular.
3. They both require listening- To be a good follower you have to listen to what your leader says , and as a good leader you have to listen to feedback from your followers.

Differences

1. All leaders are followers but not all followers are leaders- The difference between leadership and followership comes during the process of learning skills required to lead others. The followers who gain those skills eventually become leaders while those who don't remain followers.
2. A leader must have the necessary experience, skill, and motivation to bear responsibilities that a follower may not yet have. For example, political leaders gain necessary experience and skills as they grow from lower political positions to higher ones.
3. Leadership is found in the ability to influence others into some certain direction while followership is seeking or accepting influence from an individual or a group of leaders.