Much has been said in America about corporate, organizational, personal and professional development. We have become experts among experts on leadership, power and success. In over fifteen years of experience as a consultant, owner, manager, and employee, I have earned degrees, read books, attended conferences, and consulted with gurus until my head hurt. I can tell you, we've got most of the bases covered. One area, though, where sound advice is hard to come by is the role of the follower.

 

Followers get a bad rap in American success literature. After all, who wants to be a sheep, mindlessly following the butt of the sheep in front of you, head down, dust in your eyes, when you could be the shepherd. Why follow when you can lead? Given the fact that most of us will spend much more of our lives and careers in followership roles than leadership roles, I think that's a question that bears some exploration, and I welcome some company on the journey.