The Power of a Follower

Leadership dynamics have gone through various shifts, one of which is a shift from leadership being focused on the leader but to the followers. Through this lens of leadership, followers are seen not as idle wheels that just follow the steering of their leader, but as great contributors to good or bad leadership. A case of bad leadership then is a reflection of the followers’ failure to influence their leaders positively because it’s through their permission that these leaders act or lead.

Why then do we as followers permit what is not good? It’s either because we like it that way or we are completely ignorant of our responsibilities as followers. If it’s true that we like it that way then we are indeed doomed, we cannot be helped. If it’s a matter of ignorance then we need to know and begin to engage our leadership to demand better and accountable leaders. That way we certainly provide an antidote to toxic or dysfunctional leadership and help quell the uncontrolled and sinister ambitions of toxic leaders.

As we prepare to vote in new leaders in the coming year, we need to note those that divide us along ethnic lines and who create distrust and hostility among us. We must shun them or withdraw their power to act. We definitely don't need such leaders. What we need are leaders who serve the nation with determination, who have a compelling vision that every Kenyan wants to identify with and as their followers if they deviate from it we not only notice but demand that they go back to the original blueprint agreed upon at the beginning of their terms and they humbly consent.