Followership

NBA Player, Chauncey Billups, said, “To be a good leader, at some point you have to be a good follower. I was always a good follower. I always followed the right people and listened to the right things.
Those helped shape me as a leader.” So, are you a good follower?

I can’t tell you how many times I have heard “Are you a leader or a follower?” when I was growing up. A subtle principle was communicated through that question: “be a leader not a follower!”

But if everyone is leading, then who is following? I have never heard athletes confess, “I am just a follower. Leadership is just not for me.” We all want to lead. Volumes have been written on leadership, but very little has been written on followership. You know, the art and skill of being a great follower.

Followership is the beginning of leadership. The best competitors have mastered the art of following. Following means intentionally watching, learning from and imitating others. You observe those who are walking in a manner worthy of the Lord, who live with humility and courage, who exhibit integrity and compassion, who make wise decisions, and then you choose to follow in their footsteps. Paul, as he followed the example of Jesus, urged other believers to imitate him in 1 Corinthians 11:1, “Follow my example as I follow the example of Christ.”

You don’t follow others based on championships, title or position but example and influence. Followership starts at the foot of the cross. Pick up our cross daily and follow Him. Remember, when you follow well, you lead well.