![](media/image1.wmf)**CONCEPT:** Followership in a Volunteer
Environment

**APPROXIMATE TIME:** 1 hour

**OBJECTIVES:**

1.  Define followership.

2.  Describe why followership is important as a volunteer.

3.  Describe the Two-Dimensional Model of Follower Behavior.

4.  Describe specific characteristics for effective followership.

    **SUGGESTED MATERIALS:** No additional materials are required. Refer
    to the [Instructor]{.underline} [Information]{.underline} link in
    the User\'s Guide for the basic materials to teach a class.

    **INTRODUCTION:**

As a member of the Civil Air Patrol (CAP) you will need to develop
skills as a follower. It is a pre-requisite for becoming a good leader.
There are very simple steps we can take to master the concept of
followership. All that is required is someone who is committed to
becoming a better person.

**PURPOSE/RATIONALE:**

In this lesson we will discover what followership means, and why it is
important to you as a volunteer. We will also provide you with a model
to help you determine what type of follower you are, and some helpful
hints on how to be a better follower. The main point of the lesson is to
emphasize to the students that becoming a good follower is essential for
their squadron/unit to operate effectively. Additionally, developing
good follower characteristics will make them a better person and a
better leader.

**SUGGESTED TEACHING STRATEGY/EVALUATION:**

1.  Define followership.

2.  Discuss why it is important to understand followership as a
    volunteer.

3.  Discuss the Two-Dimensional Model of Follower Behavior.

4.  Discuss specific characteristics for effective followership.

    **LESSON PRESENTATION:**

**Attention Step:** **(Slide 1)** As a member of the Civil Air Patrol
you will need to develop skills as a follower. It is a pre-requisite for
becoming a good leader. There are very simple steps we can take to
master the concept of followership. All that is required is someone who
is committed to becoming a better person.

![](media/image1.wmf)**Lesson Objectives:** **(Slide 2)** In today's
lesson we will discover what is meant by followership, and why it is
important to you as a volunteer. We will also provide you with a model
to help you determine what type of follower you are, and some helpful
hints on how to be a better follower.

**INSTRUCTOR NOTE:** Emphasize to the students that becoming a good
follower is essential for their squadron/unit to operate effectively.
Additionally, developing good follower characteristics will make them a
better person and a better leader.

![](media/image1.wmf)**Main Point 1:** **(Slide 3)** The Civil Air
Patrol defines followership as reaching a specific goal while exercising
respect for authority, a positive attitude, integrity, and
self-discipline. As a member of the Civil Air Patrol, you will have many
opportunities to practice followership. This lesson will help you be the
best follower you can be with the ultimate goal of helping you be the
best leader you can be.

**INSTRUCTOR NOTE:** Ask the students how they would define
followership. They may provide a wide range of answers, just keep them
focused on the need to become good followers.

**Transition:** **Question:** Why is it important for you as a volunteer
to understand the concept of followership (becoming a better follower)?

**INSTRUCTORS NOTE:** Spend a few minutes discussing this question and
allowing them to share their answers.

\<Go to next slide\>

![](media/image1.wmf)**Main Point 2:** **(Slide 4)** When you joined the
Civil Air Patrol, you agreed to be professional, act morally and
responsibly, complete your tasks to the best of your ability, and serve
the public. These are not easy to do if you do not understand the basics
of followership. How good a follower you become will largely determine
your personal growth while you serve in the Civil Air Patrol.

 

![](media/image1.wmf)If the squadron or unit is going to be the best it
can be then it needs members to step up to the plate, accept the
responsibilities they have been given, and do it with respect and
enthusiasm. Remember, your individual contributions are valuable, and a
critical component to the effectiveness of the CAP team.

**Transition:** If we have agreed that understanding and applying the
concept of good followership is important, let's take some time and
determine what kind of follower you are right now.

**Main Point 3: (Slide 5)** Discuss and apply the Two-Dimensional Model
of Follower Behavior. It is first helpful to determine what follower
traits you currently have. A researcher named R. E. Kelly interviewed
leaders and followers to determine the best way of identifying the best
followers. Let's discuss some examples from each section of the model.
Remember, these categorized follower types represent extremes. **People
generally don't fall into the extreme end of the continuum**. For
demonstration purposes, the members in the examples represent extreme
cases.

**INSTRUCTOR NOTE:** Using the slide and step the students through each
section of the model. A description of the sections is listed below.
Encourage group interaction by asking for personal examples in each of
the sections.

R. E. Kelly determined that followers ranged from **independent,
critical thinking** at one end to **dependent, uncritical thinking** on
the other. He sums it up by saying, "The best followers are individuals
who 'think for themselves,' 'give constructive criticism,' 'are their
own person,' and are 'innovative and creative.' At the other end of the
spectrum, the worst followers 'must be told what to do,' 'can't make it
to the bathroom on their own,' and 'don't think.' In between are the
typical followers, who 'take direction' and 'don't challenge leader or
group'" (Kelley 1992).

Kelley's second dimension ranges from **active** to **passive**, and
refers to a follower's degree of active engagement in work. According to
Kelley, "the best followers 'take initiative,' 'assume ownership,'
'participate actively,' 'are self-starters,' and 'go above and beyond
the job.' The worst ones are 'passive,' 'lazy,' 'need prodding,'
'require constant supervision,' and 'dodge responsibility.' In between
these extremes are the typical followers who 'get the job done without
supervision after being told what to do,'...and 'shift with the wind'"
(Kelley 1992).

Cadet Ovine is a **passive** person. He simply does what he is told
without thinking about what he is doing. He passively complies with
orders and takes no actions in support of the squadron and its goals
without being specifically told to do so. His passive personality and
uncritical thinking define him as a **Sheep**. Cadet Ovine is easily
manipulated and pushed around, and he fails to critically think about
what he's doing.

SM Toady is extremely **active**. She volunteers for everything she can.
Unfortunately, she mindlessly agrees with everything she hears from the
flight leader. Cadet Toady lacks the ability to critically appraise
policies and form opinions on her own. Cadet Toady readily carries out
any and all orders. In the big picture, Toady is defined as a **Yes
person.** In her rush to gain favor from her superiors, she will get in
trouble. She can also be easily manipulated.

Captain Rupture always has a complaint. He is an **independent**
**thinker, critical** of all ideas and policies that come down from on
high. He points out every problem he can think of. Unfortunately, he is
also passive. Rupture takes no action on his own to improve the
situation. It's easier to complain than to work to make things better.
Rupture does not get along with the rest of the flight; he is an
**Alienated follower**. Rupture will wear down the morale of everyone in
the unit.

LtCol. Waveless has a motto, "If the minimum wasn't good enough, it
wouldn't be the minimum." Waveless lives in the middle of the Follower
model. He is **not particularly committed** to working group goals
unless it will keep him out of trouble. Waveless does not want to stick
out and therefore is a mediocre performer. On occasion, he may get up
and do something for the flight, but his motivation is to stay in the
background and not get in trouble. He offers no suggestions to the
chain-of-command on his own. Waveless is known as a **survivor**.

Cadet Riprock plays an **active** role in the flight. He actively seeks
out responsibility, and works on his own to accomplish flight goals.
When he sees something that can be improved, Riprock **critically**
thinks things through and offers suggestions for improvement up the
chain-of-command. By being a critical thinker and displaying an active
personality, Riprock would be categorized as an **Effective follower**.

**Transition:** Now that you have a rough idea of what type of follower
you are let's discuss some areas you can concentrate on to improve your
ability to be a follower.

\<Go to next slide\>

![](media/image1.wmf)**Main Point 4: (Slide 6)** There are specific
characteristics we can work on to become better followers. These
include, but are not limited to, being enthusiastic, being proactive,
owning the territory, being versatile and flexible, avoiding the
complaining trap, and practicing the CAP Core Values. These
characteristics represent only a small sample of the areas you can focus
on to grow as a follower. No one can force you to be a better follower,
you must take the initiative and work at it.

**INSTRUCTORS NOTE:** Below you will find a more detailed description of
the characteristics listed above. Spend some time with the students
discussing these characteristics and ask them to provide their own
examples.

**Enthusiastic**

Enthusiasm is a contagious energy. Once you're assigned a task and you
accomplish that task, you will want your efforts to be accepted by the
group. Your level of enthusiasm will have a direct effect on the group
or the leader's feelings concerning the task. Display an upbeat and
energetic behavior when performing and promoting tasks. Mission
accomplishment will often rest with the followers' enthusiasm as will as
the leaders.

**Proactive**

Effective followers need to take a "proactive stance" toward
organizational problems. Being proactive means more than taking
initiative. Our behavior is a function of our decisions, not our
conditions. We have to take the initiative and the responsibility to
make things happen. This includes building effective relationships with
your supervisor. Highly proactive people recognize the importance of
accepting responsibility.

**Own the territory**

A proactive follower critically considers policies and actively presents
suggestions up the chain-of-command that will directly contribute to
unit success. Making the unit better is a task that needs to be "owned"
by the followers within the individual units and squadrons.

![](media/image1.wmf)**(Slide 7)** **Versatile and flexible**

Beating your head against a brick wall isn't the most efficient or
effective way to get to the other side. A better approach is to take a
step back and reevaluate. A second look will usually reveal a better way
around the wall (i.e., go around it, climb over it, or dig a tunnel
under it.) The point is choosing another option is less painful than
trying to break through the wall. Apply this same principle when
approaching an assigned task.

Take a few minutes to reevaluate a task before wasting time and energy
trying to overcome seemingly insurmountable obstacles. Use your brain
before you use your head.

# **The complaining trap**

As an effective follower, your job is to make the squadron work in spite
of good or poor leadership. Complaining about policies and poor
leadership is very easy and natural for us to do. Think about the
offshoot of your complaints. By complaining about decisions and
leadership, you undermine the chain-of-command. Instead of complaining,
find creative ways to make the situation better. Keep in mind that
complainers can sink the morale in a squadron very quickly.

**CAP Core Values**

The CAP Core Values are the bedrock to a trusting environment. Lip
service to them will do nothing but undermine the mission of the
individual units and the entire Civil Air Patrol. Applying these values
in your everyday life is a personal thing. You can't force them on
anyone, and you'll eventually be able to spot a fraud. Having a personal
mission statement that you can refer to throughout your life will help
you incorporate these values in your lifestyle and increase your
effectiveness as a dynamic follower.

\<Go to next slide\>

![](media/image1.wmf)**(Slide 8) Summary**

The Civil Air Patrol needs effective followers who are willing to
contribute to the overall effort of the squadron/unit. Therefore, it is
important to understanding the basic principles of followership, and
apply them in all that you do. This will not only improve your working
environment, but it will make you a better person as well. Remember, the
first step in becoming a better leader is mastering the concepts of
followership.