Lead, follow, or get out of the way.
The first choice to make.
Sorry snowflakes—I’m quoting a U.S. Army General. And until we come up with better analogies, military strategy continues to provide some of the best for business strategy. And the stakes, after all, cannot be higher.
And this is not just any General. This is “Old Blood and Guts”.
General George S. Patton is credited with saying some version of, “Lead, follow, or get out of the way.” He chose to lead, and his troops followed him to victory, all the way to Normandy.
But here’s the thing: not everyone needs to lead all the time, and even the best leaders rely on great followers. Without followers, nothing meaningful gets accomplished.
Most of us are “situational leaders.” We step into leadership roles when the moment calls for it—when no one else will, when we know we can make a difference. We “step up to the plate”. But most of the time, we’re more than happy to follow someone with a compelling vision and, yes, the charisma to inspire.
Much has been written about the qualities of great leaders: self-awareness, respect, compassion, vision, and more. But my question is: what qualities do we want in great followers?
What does it take to be a great follower?
Let's try to answer this with one of the best stories about being a great follower: “Message to Garcia”.
It could be a work of fiction, but nevertheless, it's an illustration of the virtue of self-driven effort, in contrast with the inability or unwillingness to concentrate on a goal and execute on it.
The essay is a dramatized odyssey of a man fulfilling his duty, reliably, and with no fanfare.
It is the story of an American soldier, 1st Lt. Andrew S. Rowan who, just prior to the Spanish–American War, is asked to carry a message from President William McKinley (the same McKinley of Denali, “the big mountain), to Gen. Calixto García, a leader of the Cuban insurgents.
As he is given the order, he doesn’t ask a word. No “who is this Garcia?”, or “where is he?”, nor “how do I find him?”. He just listens intently, nods, and gets on with the task. As he strives, he goes through all kinds of trials and tribulations to deliver the message, first to track down Garcia, and then, to get there. He walks for miles, cuts through brush, wades through rivers, and climbs mountains until he finally finds Garcia. After negotiating through the enemy's guards and get safely in front of the Cuban leader, he delivers the message.
His status as a messenger grants him safe passage out, and he retraces his steps back to base. As he arrives, he’s asked about the message. He just starkly affirms: “I delivered it to Garcia”, salutes and asks to be dismissed. He never mentions any of the troubles he had to face to fulfill his duty.
In a world of endless follow-ups, you will appreciate the simple virtue of Message to Garcia. “Set it and forget it”.
I would say, some of the most important qualities of a great follower are:
COMPETENCE: Competence is non-negotiable. Great followers take the time to master their craft. Being skilled and knowledgeable allows followers to anticipate needs, solve problems proactively, and contribute more effectively. Competence earns respect and fosters confidence in their leadership.
ATTENTION TO DETAIL: Great followers pay attention to the details and leaders trust them to flesh those out. They double-check their work, and strive for accuracy.
COMMITMENT: Commitment is at the heart of being a dependable follower. When followers say, “I’m in,” they mean it. Their word carries weight because they back it up with action. This builds trust within teams and ensures goals are met.
RELENTLESSNESS: A great follower doesn’t quit when things get hard. They push through adversity with determination, focusing on the mission and finding a way, no matter how challenging the circumstances. Great followers create their own opportunities to deliver results.
TEAM-PLAY: Great followers don’t just focus on their tasks; they ensure the entire team succeeds and they value harmony, communication, and shared accountability. They support their peers, step in when others need help, and celebrate shared victories. Great followers understand that collective success is better than individual glory.
KNOWING WHEN TO SPEAK UP: Contrary to the stereotype of silent followers, great followers know when to speak up. They challenge ideas when necessary, provide constructive feedback, and raise concerns when something doesn’t feel right. This courage to voice their thoughts enhances the team’s decision-making process because there are things that only those closer to the action are aware of.
Ultimately, great followers are the unsung heroes of any successful endeavor—those who lead by example, lift others up, and ensure that the vision becomes reality.
Did I miss any qualities that make a great follower?