GLOWING AGES ACADEMY

SECONDARY
LESSON NOTES WEEK 9
SUBJECT: CIVIC EDUCATION CLASS
NAME: YEAR 11
TOPIC: FOLLOWERSHIP
DATE: 11TH-15TH NOVEMBER, 2024

We Are Learning To (W.A.L.T):

i. Explain the meaning of a follower and followership.
ii. Discuss the extraordinary qualities of a good
followership.
iii. Examine the reasons for good followership for political
and economic development in the country.
iv. Highlight effects of bad followership to the
development of the country

What I’m Looking For (W.I.L.F): Is your ability to:

i. Relate the meaning a follower and
followership,examine the qualities and reasons for
followership as well as the effects of bad followership in
the country/Nigeria
.
Vocabularies:
i.  Support: Providing encouragement, resources,
or assistance to a leader and their goals.
ii Engagement: Active participation and
commitment to the tasks and objectives set by the
leader.
iii Loyalty: Faithfulness and allegiance to a leader
or organization, often demonstrated through
consistent support.
iv.Compliance: Adherence to directives, policies,
and instructions given by a leader.
v.Responsiveness: The ability to react quickly and
effectively to a leader's needs or changes in
direction.
vi.Feedback: Providing constructive input or
responses to a leader regarding their decisions or
actions.
vii.Initiative: Taking proactive steps or suggesting
ideas to support or advance the leader's goals.
viii.Trust: Confidence in a leader's abilities and
intentions, crucial for a strong leader-follower
relationship.
ix.Collaboration: Working together with others
and the leader to achieve common goals and solve
problems.
x.Dependability: Reliability in fulfilling
responsibilities and commitments as expected by
the leader.

INTRODUCTION.

Follower: A follower is an individual who supports,

listens to, and acts upon the direction or influence
of a leader. Followers contribute to the leader's
objectives and goals through their actions,
behaviors, and engagement. While followers are
often seen as supporting roles, they play a crucial
part in the overall success and functioning of a
team or organization.

Followership: Followership refers to the process

and behaviors associated with individuals who
support and adhere to the guidance of a leader. It
encompasses how followers engage with, respond
to, and contribute to the leader's vision and
directives. Followership involves various roles and
dynamics, including:
 1.Support and Cooperation: Followers actively
support the leader’s initiatives and collaborate
to achieve common goals.
2.Engagement: Followers are involved and
committed to the leader's vision and tasks,
often displaying enthusiasm and dedication.
3.Responsiveness: How followers react to the
leader’s instructions, feedback, and changes in
direction.
4.Constructive Feedback: Providing input and
suggestions to the leader, which can help
refine strategies and improve outcomes.
5.Adherence to Roles: Following the leader’s
direction while fulfilling designated
responsibilities and tasks effectively.
6.Trust and Loyalty: Having confidence in the
leader’s decisions and maintaining allegiance
to their vision and goals.

QUALITIES OF A GOOD FOLLOWER/FOLLOWERSHIP

Good followers possess several qualities that make
them valuable contributors to a leader’s vision and
goals. Here are some key qualities of a good
follower:
1.Dependability: Reliable and consistent in
fulfilling responsibilities and commitments,
ensuring that tasks are completed as expected.
2.Responsiveness: Quick to respond to the
leader’s requests and adapt to changes or new
directions.
3.Engagement: Actively involved and committed
to the team’s or organization’s objectives,
demonstrating enthusiasm and dedication.
4.Proactiveness: Takes initiative to anticipate
needs, suggest improvements, and address
issues before they become problems.
 5.Trustworthiness: Builds and maintains trust by
being honest, ethical, and transparent in
actions and communications.
6.Open-Mindedness: Willing to consider new
ideas, feedback, and perspectives, and
adaptable to different approaches or changes.
7.Constructive Feedback: Provides thoughtful
and constructive feedback to help the leader
and team improve, rather than just criticism.
8.Collaboration: Works well with others,
contributes to teamwork, and supports a
positive and productive work environment.
9.Respectfulness: Shows respect for the leader’s
authority and decisions, and values the
contributions of other team members.
10.Commitment to Learning: Open to personal
and professional growth, and seeks
opportunities to develop skills that benefit the
team and align with the leader’s goals.

REASONS FOR FOLLOWERSHIP IN THE SOCIETY.

Followership is essential for the success and
functionality of any team or organization. Here are
some key reasons why followership is important:
1.Supports Leadership: Followers help to
implement the leader's vision and goals,
turning plans into actionable results. Their
support is crucial for executing strategies and
achieving objectives.
2.Facilitates Team Dynamics: Effective
followership fosters positive interactions
within the team, promoting collaboration and
cohesion. This helps in building a supportive
work environment.
3.Enhances Productivity: By fulfilling their roles
and responsibilities efficiently, followers
contribute to the overall productivity of the
team or organization.
4.Provides Feedback and Insight: Followers offer
valuable perspectives and feedback, which can
help leaders refine strategies, make better
decisions, and address potential issues.
5.Promotes Accountability: Good followership
involves taking responsibility for one's tasks
and contributing to the collective goals,
ensuring that team members hold themselves
and each other accountable.
6.Encourages Innovation: Engaged followers are
more likely to contribute creative ideas and
solutions, supporting a culture of innovation
and continuous improvement.
7.Balances Leadership: Effective followership can
provide a check-and-balance system, ensuring
that leadership decisions are well-considered
and aligned with the team’s needs and values.
8.Fosters Development: Followers often develop
skills and competencies through their roles,
which can lead to personal growth and
preparation for future leadership
opportunities.
9.Strengthens Relationships: Good followership
involves building trust and respect with
leaders and colleagues, creating a positive and
collaborative work atmosphere.
10.Ensures Stability: By maintaining consistency
in their roles and supporting the leader,
followers contribute to organizational stability
and resilience, especially during times of
change or uncertainty.
EFFECTS OF BAD FOLLOWERSHIP
Bad followership can have significant negative
effects on teams and organizations. Here are some
of the key consequences:
1.Reduced Productivity: Poor followership can
lead to a lack of effort or engagement, which
diminishes overall productivity and
effectiveness. Tasks may be incomplete or
poorly executed, impacting the team's
performance.
2.Lower Morale: When followers do not fulfill
their roles effectively or are disengaged, it can
lower morale among other team members. This
can create a negative atmosphere and reduce
motivation.
3.Increased Conflict: Ineffective followership can
lead to misunderstandings, conflicts, and
friction within the team. Poor communication
and a lack of cooperation can exacerbate these
issues.
4.Lack of Accountability: Bad followers may not
take responsibility for their actions or
mistakes, leading to a lack of accountability
and potentially shifting the burden onto
others.
5.Missed Goals: When followers are not
committed or engaged, the team may fail to
meet its objectives or deadlines, which can
impact overall success and progress.
6.Erosion of Trust: If followers are unreliable or
inconsistent, it can erode trust between them
and the leader or among team members. This
can weaken relationships and hinder effective
collaboration.
7.Decreased Innovation: Lack of engagement or
a negative attitude towards leadership can
 stifle creativity and innovation, as followers
may be less likely to contribute ideas or
embrace new approaches.
8.Poor Communication: Ineffective followers may
not communicate properly or may withhold
important information, leading to
misunderstandings and misalignment within
the team.
9.Increased Turnover: Persistent issues with
followership can lead to higher employee
turnover, as dissatisfied or disengaged team
members may seek other opportunities.
10.Damage to Reputation: Poor followership can
damage the reputation of the team or
organization, especially if it leads to failures,
conflicts, or negative outcomes that are visible
to clients, stakeholders, or the public.
11.Strain on Leadership: Leaders may have to
spend additional time and effort managing and
addressing the problems caused by bad
followership, which can divert their focus from
strategic planning and decision-making.

Compiled by: Mr. Emmanuel Gbagir (Civic Education

Facilitator)