Reconceptualizing Followership Identity: A Useful Guide for Leadership Educators

Abstract

Research into followership is becoming increasingly popular, however, many have claimed that followership is not a genuine field of inquiry as there is a lack of follower self-identity. As a result, some have gone as far as to suggest that followership should be left unexplored. In this paper, we have addressed the issue of lack of follower self-identity while arguing for the legitimacy of followership. We prescribe new ways of approaching followership, examine how these new approaches fit within the modern discourses of leadership and recommend how leadership educators should incorporate followership into their academic programs. The review has important implications for leaders, followers, leadership educators, organizations, and researchers.