Each of these people, who might be a follower in a normal business situation has had to assume a position of leadership. This creates uncertainty on the part of both leaders and followers. The leaders may fear loss of control and uncertainty, and the followers worry about risks of new tasks for which they lack skill and support. The area of followership is one in which limited research has been done. However, it is clear that leadership and followership are interrelated.
People can become more skilled in either, but there can be no leadership without followership.
Compounding the problem of a lack of a definition of leadership and a lack of clear distinction between effective leader and the non-effective leader, is the perception that managers are leaders. In some instances, this perception is true. This process does not make a person a leader, in and of itself. According to the literature, there is a great difference between a manager and a leader. Some believe that, while it is not impossible for someone to be both a manager and a leader, managers and leaders are different types of people.