PURPOSE:
This workshop is designed to examine the relationship of leaders and followers through the other end of the telescope. Increasingly, it is becoming clear that leaders need to surround themselves not with “yes men” but with professionals who will be genuine partners for organizational success. These partners, or “courageous followers”, will provide both support and honest feedback about the leadership’s decisions and actions so these can be continually improved just as a leader expects continual improvement from those below. In an era of increased competitiveness, board scrutiny and regulatory watchfulness, robust honesty and effective interaction with senior levels of the organization are crucial for success.
OBJECTIVES:
This workshop is designed to:
- raise awareness of the equal importance of exemplary followership behavior to leadership behavior
- identify styles of followership and directions for growth
- increase understanding of how hierarchical structures do not need to produce less-than-candid hierarchical relationships
- examine the sources of courage that enable followers to give leaders important information they may not want to hear
- identify the numerous ways in which followers can give better support to their leaders
- develop an awareness of the elements of effectively providing leaders with sensitive feedback
- in longer workshop formats, develop the skills for doing so
- providing leaders with the awareness and tools for creating cultures in which followers will more readily act as partners
METHODOLOGY:
Participants will assess their own followership styles. Using hypothetical situations they will examine the ramifications of the different styles and identify their personal growth needs. They will explore their own values structure that will enable them to act when necessary with courage. They will also examine the tools they have as a leader to foster courageous follower behavior. In full day workshops we will use high-quality video scenarios to examine the key followership behaviors. In longer workshops participants will use role plays to cement the skills needed to successfully provide feedback in difficult situations.
FACILITATOR:
Ira Chaleff is the author of the book, The Courageous Follower: Standing Up To and For Our Leaders. He has designed and conducted workshops for a wide range of private sector, government and educational organizations. His ECCA colleagues, David Lassiter and Emily Barnes are also certified to conduct workshops on this theme.
LENGTH:
Designs are available from two-hours to two days. Half day and Full Day are most common.