1. LEADERSHIP AND MANAGEMENT
David P. Cavell
leadership or followership: one or both?
All successful leaders need good followers. The primary emphasis of my classes is on students
thinking and sharing their knowledge and
No matter how high a position we hold in an thoughts. The goal is that the students retain for
organization, we all are in a follower role to the long-term knowledge, tools, and ideals
someone else. We need to he good, supportive learned in class. One former student called me
followers for our leader to he sueeessful. recently to tell me about an experience in which
she successfully used the knowledge and skills
I have heen teaching a eourse in husiness leader- she learned in class to resolve a prohlem. She
"In order to be a leader, ship at Jaekson Community College, Jaekson, used one of the quality decision tools she learned
a ntfan must have followers." Mieh. Three hours every Thursday night for 3? in a management class she took a few years ago to
— Dwighi D. Eisenhower weeks (two semesters) aeeumiilated to 96 hours resolve a family prohlem related to distributing
of foeused time on leadership. The edueation an estate. She was so successful in using the tool
proeess included tests, research, discussion, pre- that she wanted to let me know. To an instructor,
"Leadership Involves sentations, and analysis on the subject of leader- that is hetter than a paycheck.
finding a parade and ship. I have had the pleasure of working with
getting in front of It." employed and enlightened students. Both ofthe Lessons Learned
-JohnNaisbiti class groups were large and especially eager to When we addressed a hig, theoretical issue such
learn. as leadership and followership in class, we did
so with thought, research, analysis, and under-
At the first elass meeting of each semester, I held standing. Some conclusions from teaching the
an open discussion with the students to deter- class over the two semesters highlight the
mine what they hope to gain from the class and important relationship hetween leadership
learn ahout the subject. Speeial consideration is and followership.
given to their current interests and immediate
employment needs. The overwhelming response Desirabletraits for successful leaders. Leaders have
was that they desired to he good followers and to traits that make them leaders or improve the
recognize the skills of great leaders. They felt that likelihood that they will hecome successful lead-
once they accomplished these goals, they could ers. For example, former President Bill Clinton is
evolve into good leaders. a great communicator, and Bill Gates is a great
visionary. The students reviewed the accomplish-
I was pleased with the students' approach to lead- ments and leadership styles of many great lead-
ership training and adjusted the eourse material ers; studied text material, articles, and profiles;
accordingly. They were smart, realistic students. and completed projects that required them to
142 NOVEMBER 2007 healthcare financial management

2. interview local leaders. Then the students offered Charles Manson. Sheer personality, high energy,
their perceptions of important leadership traits. and passion drive charismatic leaders, hut their
They identified more than 3o diverse traits of ability to lead is determined hy their followers. "What makes a good
leaders. No one trait stood out, indicating that Charisma can he a gift or a threat. Society can follower? The single most
we all perceive leadership differently and employ henefit or suffer from their leader hased on how important characteristic
leadership skills according to our personal needs. charismatic leaders choose to use their special may well be a willingness
To he a great leader, you need not only to he talents. Few healthcare leaders are horn with the to tell the truth. In a world
yourself, hut also to identify your hest leadership gift of charismatic leadership and seem destined of growing complexity,
to lead. Most learn to lead. Indeed, in health care, leaders are increasingly
traits and make them stronger. For example,
dependent on their sub-
if you're a good communicator, hecome a great depending on charisma to help us lead is not
ordinates for good infor-
communicator. If you're good at setting goals, realistic.
mation, whether the
improve your skills at developing and sharing leaders want to hear it or
goals. What's Your Leadership/Followership IQ? not. Followers who tell
What are your leadership traits? What is your the truth and leaders who
Desirable traits for successful followers. Although style of leadership? Are you a good follower to listen to it are an unbeat-
the students identified fewer traits for followers, your leader? Do you provide the needed support able combination."
they identified some standout desirahle traits. to make your leader successful? — Warren G. Bennis
Rememher, heing a good follower was the main
class goal. The students identified 16 traits that This article presents a lot of questions and not a
are desirahle for followers. Ofthe 16 traits, the long list of firm answers. You should he yourself
one cited most frequently was supporting the and huild on your strong traits. To he a good
leader's decisions. The next most frequently leader, recognize your strengths and improve
mentioned desirahle trait was heing a competent, them, hut be sure to perceive what your followers
dependable worker who can make suggestions. want from you. To be a good follower, ask your
Because the students were interested in learning leader what you can do to he more supportive.
how to he an excellent supporter to a good leader, Your leader's success means your success. •
we spent nearly as much time and effort on fol-
lowership as we did on leadership. David P. Cavell, CHFP, is business ollice director, Chelsea
Community Hospital, Chelsea, Mich., and a member of HFMA's
Eastern Michigan Chapter (dcavell(i>cch.org).
Personal experience. The high value the students
assigned to their personal experience with their
leader was noteworthy. The students held per- MOST FREQUENTLY IDENTIFIED TRAITS OF GOOD LEADERS
sonal experience as highly important to judging AND FOLLOWERS
leadership. Personal experience was important • Leaders: •• Followers: ^|
for them to relate to and understand the leader. 1. Honest 1. Support decisions
They were looking for the personal touch, the 2. Communicator 2. Make suggestions
personal impact. 3. Listener 3. Loyal
4. Visionary 4. Trustworthy
Charisma. Charismatic leaders have a natural, 5. Patient 5. Ethical
6. Decisive 6. Team player
intuitive gift for leading others. Charismatic
7. Developed people, positive, 7. Positive attitude
leaders inspire people with their mere presence. 8. High energy
objectives, high energy.
Throughout history, just as we have recognized self-drive, charisma, passion 9. Take responsibility
charismatic leaders who have had a positive 10. Acknowledge the leader
impact, such as Franklin Roosevelt and Gandhi, 11. Listener and a good
we have seen those who have had a negative communicator
impact, such as Adolph Hitler, Jim Jones, and
144 NOVEMBER 2007 healthcare financial management