Emerging Nurse Leader

A leadership development blog

Nurse Leader Insight: The Importance of First Followers

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By Rose O. Sherman, EdD, RN, FAAN

first followerI was talking to a colleague at a recent conference about teaching leadership to nursing students.  He told me that he always points out to students the power in being a first follower.  In 2010, a TED talk video by Derek Silver illustrating the idea of first followers was posted and went viral with more than 3 million views to date.  The video points out how movements or any initiative cannot gain traction until someone joins the leader and helps to build the momentum.  The need for first followers is not one that receives much attention in the nursing leadership literature but they are the key to leadership success.

First followers create leaders

Leadership involves influence and is only possible when there are followers who are inspired by the vision and are willing to take action.  It is the first follower in an initiative who legitimizes the work of the leader.  Sometimes being the first on board involves risk especially when great change is involved and others fear it.  Wise leaders know the importance of seeking out that first follower and asking for their support.  Leaders succeed when they are sensitive to what would motivate the first follower and the other early followers. The first follower is the one who will bring others along through their example.  When you think about this – it is an underrated form of leadership.

To be a leader – you need to be follower

To be selected for leadership, you must also demonstrate that you are also a good follower.  This is a topic that rarely receives attention when we discuss professional development in nursing.  We hear a great deal about developing our leadership abilities, but little about follower-ship.  Great leadership is only possible when the leader surrounds him or herself with followers who will be inspired to do great work.  I remember once interviewing a nurse for a staff nurse position and I asked her about her leadership goals.  She responded that she really was not interested in seeking any higher level of leadership, but she told me that she was a great follower.
Key Qualities of First Followers
  1. They keep the leader informed about what is happening in their area.
  2. They are trustworthy and don’t undermine their leaders.
  3. They are accountable when they have made a commitment to the leader.
  4. They contribute to decisions and champion the final decision when it is made.
  5. They encourage the leader and work to influence their colleagues so the leader is not standing alone.
It is often said that it is lonely at the top, and many nurse leaders would agree with this assessment.   Good first followers recognize this and find ways to encourage the leader on their journey.  So when a young nurse asks you how best to develop their leadership skills – urge them to become first followers.

Read to Lead

Kellerman, B. (2008).  Followership.  New York: McGraw-Hill.

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