Qualities, Benefits and Consequences of Followership for Primary 4

Qualities, Benefits and Consequences of Followership

Performance Objectives

By the end of the lesson, students should be able to:

1. discuss the qualities of good followership;
2. explain the benefits of good followership;
3. outline the characteristics of bad followership;
4. state the consequences of bad followership.

Meaning of Followership

Followership is the act of supporting and working with a leader to achieve a common goal.

In every group, there is usually a leader who guides and directs, and there are followers who support the leader. For a group to succeed, both the leader and the followers must work well together.

Followership is important in the home, in school, and in the community. For example, children are followers of their parents at home, pupils are followers of their teachers in school, and citizens are followers of community leaders.

Qualities of Good Followership

Good followership means having positive traits that help a group succeed. A good follower helps the leader and the group achieve their goals.

The qualities of good followership include:

1. Obedience: A good follower obeys instructions and rules given by the leader. This helps to maintain order and ensures tasks are completed correctly.
2. Loyalty: Good followers are faithful and committed to their leader and the group. They support the leader’s decisions and work towards the group’s success.
3. Honesty: Good followers are truthful and sincere. They give honest feedback and do not hide important information from the leader.
4. Hard work: Good followers are dedicated and put in effort to complete their tasks. They do not shy away from responsibilities.
5. Respect: Good followers show respect to their leader and other group members. They listen to others and value their opinions.
6. Cooperation: Good followers work well with others in the group. They share ideas, help each other, and contribute to teamwork.
7. Responsibility: Good followers take ownership of their duties and actions. They complete tasks assigned to them and are accountable for their part in the group’s work.

Characteristics of Bad Followership

Bad followership means having negative traits that can hinder a group’s progress and cause problems. A bad follower makes it difficult for the leader and the group to achieve their goals.

The characteristics of bad followership include:

1. Disobedience: Bad followers refuse to obey instructions or rules. This can lead to disorder and tasks not being completed.
2. Laziness: Bad followers avoid work and do not put in effort. They may leave tasks unfinished or expect others to do their share.
3. Dishonesty: Bad followers are untruthful and may deceive their leader or other group members. They might hide mistakes or important information.
4. Disrespect: Bad followers show disrespect to their leader and other group members. They may talk back, ignore advice, or make fun of others.
5. Selfishness: Bad followers only care about themselves and their own interests. They do not think about the good of the group or how their actions affect others.
6. Complaining: Bad followers often complain about tasks, rules, or the leader’s decisions without offering solutions. This can discourage others.
7. Lack of commitment: Bad followers are not dedicated to the group’s goals. They may easily give up or switch their loyalty.

Benefits of Good Followership

When people are good followers, many positive things happen for the individual, the group, and the community.

The benefits of good followership are:

1. Achieving goals: Good followers help the group to complete tasks and reach its objectives successfully. For example, if pupils obey their teacher, they will learn well and pass their exams.
2. Peace and harmony: When followers are obedient and cooperative, there is less conflict and more understanding within the group. This creates a peaceful environment.
3. Progress and development: Good followers contribute to the growth and improvement of their families, schools, and communities. Projects are completed, and new ideas can be implemented.
4. Strong relationships: Good followers build trust and respect with their leaders and other group members. This leads to stronger friendships and better working relationships.
5. Learning and growth: By supporting a leader, followers can learn new skills, gain experience, and develop their own abilities. They become better individuals.
6. Rewards and recognition: Good followers are often appreciated and rewarded for their hard work and dedication. This can include praise, special privileges, or opportunities.

Consequences of Bad Followership

Bad followership can lead to many negative outcomes that harm the individual, the group, and the community.

The consequences of bad followership are:

1. Failure to achieve goals: When followers are disobedient or lazy, tasks are not completed, and the group fails to reach its objectives.
2. Conflict and disunity: Bad followership often leads to arguments, disagreements, and a lack of cooperation within the group. This breaks down unity.
3. Lack of progress: Groups with bad followers struggle to move forward or improve. Important projects may stop, and the community may not develop.
4. Punishment: Individuals who display bad followership may face consequences such as being scolded, suspended from school, or even facing legal action in serious cases within the community.
5. Poor reputation: Bad followers can gain a negative reputation, making it difficult for them to be trusted or given responsibilities in the future.
6. Loss of trust: Leaders and other group members lose trust in bad followers, which can damage relationships and make teamwork impossible.

Roleplaying Followership

Roleplaying is a fun way to understand how good and bad followership affect a group. It helps to practise the skills of being a good follower and to see the results of bad followership.

The procedure for roleplaying involves the following steps:

1. Choose a scenario: Decide on a situation where followership is important. Examples include a class project, a family chore, a community clean-up, or a school sports team.
2. Assign roles: Choose one person to be the leader and others to be followers. Some followers can act out good qualities, while others act out bad characteristics.
3. Prepare for the scene: Discuss what each character will say and do. Think about how good followers will cooperate and how bad followers might cause problems. Simple costumes or props can be used to make it more realistic.
4. Act out the scene: Perform the roleplay, showing how different types of followers behave and how their actions affect the group’s progress.
5. Discuss the outcome: After the roleplay, talk about what happened. Discuss the benefits of good followership and the consequences of bad followership shown in the scene.