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Blink 3 of 8 - The 5 AM Club
by Robin Sharma
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The Courageous Follower summary
Standing Up to & for Our Leaders
13 mins
Brief summary
The Courageous Follower by Ira Chaleff offers principles and strategies for followers who seek to support their leaders effectively while maintaining their own integrity and promoting constructive dissent within organizations. It emphasizes the importance of mutual respect.
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The Courageous Follower
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Dimension one: Assuming responsibility
“I just wish my team would take more initiative!” This is the most common complaint Chaleff has heard from leaders in his decades-long career as an organizational consultant. And yet, for many of us working under these people, taking initiative can feel anything but welcome!
Even though it can be challenging, Chaleff’s first Dimension of Courageous Followership is just that: assuming responsibility.
In this context, assuming responsibility looks like courageous followers beginning by working on improving themselves. They look at their strengths and weaknesses and ask for feedback from others. Even though doing so can be a little tough emotionally, it’s a practice that ultimately helps them grow and learn valuable new skills.
Similarly, courageous followers manage themselves well by staying organized, meeting deadlines, and balancing their passion for their work with the risk of burning out.
Once courageous followers have started assuming responsibility by looking internally, they turn their attention to the outside. These individuals take more overt initiative when they see a chance to help or solve a problem within their remit. They don’t wait for someone else to tell them what they already know can be done.
Once a follower takes the courage to take responsibility, their proactive attitude starts to permeate their group’s values and work culture. This isn’t to say courageous followers are perennial “yes men”. As we’ll soon explore in more detail, they recognize that assuming responsibility sometimes means forcefully challenging the rules or ways of thinking, when these no longer serve the common good.
Greater responsibility is often perceived as undesirable, but in reality, taking it can be incredibly empowering and invigorating. Instead of waiting – or even expecting – leaders to fix things, you can start to bring about the very change you wish to see.
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What is The Courageous Follower about?
The Courageous Follower (2009) is a guide on the role of followers in their relationships with leaders, which emphasizes the importance of mutual respect and the courage to stand for the greater good. It presents a model for followership that includes taking responsibility, challenging authority constructively, and participating actively in the success of the organization – transforming traditional perceptions of followership.
The Courageous Follower Review
The Courageous Follower (1995) by Ira Chaleff sheds light on the importance of followership and the impact it can have on leadership. Here's why this book is worth reading:
- It offers a refreshing perspective on the dynamics between leaders and followers, challenging traditional notions of hierarchy and encouraging active participation.
- Through real-life stories and case studies, the book explores different types of followers and their unique contributions, providing a comprehensive understanding of followership.
- With its thought-provoking insights and practical tools for effective followership, this book is far from boring, empowering readers to become courageous and impactful followers.
Who should read The Courageous Follower?
- Individuals interested in leadership and organizational behavior dynamics
- Followers looking to increase their influence and constructive engagement
- Leaders seeking to foster a culture of mutual respect
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The Courageous Follower FAQs
What is the main message of The Courageous Follower?
The main message of The Courageous Follower is the importance of followership as a necessary and valuable role in leadership.
How long does it take to read The Courageous Follower?
The reading time for The Courageous Follower varies depending on the reader's speed, but it typically takes several hours. However, the Blinkist summary can be read in just 15 minutes.
Is The Courageous Follower a good book? Is it worth reading?
The Courageous Follower is worth reading for its insights on followership. It offers practical advice to both leaders and followers.
Who is the author of The Courageous Follower?
The author of The Courageous Follower is Ira Chaleff.
How many chapters are in The Courageous Follower?
The Courageous Follower has 10 chapters.
- Becoming a Courageous Follower
- Authenticity and Ethics
- Power and Courage to Historical Followers
- Power and Courage in Contemporary Organizations
- Relationships
- Leadership and Authority
- Collaboration and Teamwork
- Developing Followers in Leadership
- Followership as an Ethical Choice
- Creating Cultures that Encourage Courageous Followership
How many pages are in The Courageous Follower?
The Courageous Follower contains 224 pages.
When was The Courageous Follower published?
The Courageous Follower was published in 2009.
What to read after The Courageous Follower?
If you're wondering what to read next after The Courageous Follower, here are some recommendations we suggest:
- Leadership from the Inside Out by Kevin Cashman
- Irresistible by Josh Bersin
- Culture Is the Way by Matt Mayberry
- Tokens by Rachel O'Dwyer
- Effective Decision-Making by Edoardo Binda Zane
- Thinking, Fast and Slow by Daniel Kahneman
- Creativity, Inc. by Ed Catmull with Amy Wallace
- Sapiens by Yuval Noah Harari
- The Go-Getter by Peter B. Kyne
- The AI Economy by Roger Bootle