Followership is biblical.

We often turn to the Bible for a deeper understanding of leadership. The Bible also shows us the way to followership.

Let’s look at Ruth—she was told by her mother-in-law Naomi to return home, yet Ruth chose to follow Naomi. “Where you go I will go, and where you stay I will stay. Your people will be my people and your God my God” (Ruth 1:16).

Ruth followed! Ultimately Naomi encouraged her towards Boaz, and Ruth declared “I will do whatever you say” (Ruth 3:1). This followership unfolds beautifully, and Ruth is noted in the genealogy of Jesus.

David was a shepherd before he was a king. He spent time in the fields tending the sheep and spent time in King Saul’s “service” (1 Sam. 16:21). David served his king well despite great torment – something many of us can relate to as we have followed persecutive or bully leaders. Followership is this instance is costly, and we must know God has called us to this season.

Jesus taught us about being a servant “…whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant” (Matt. 20:26). Taking the stance of a servant is not just for your leadership—it is also the foundation of your followership. This involves serving your leader, following them with care and kindness, challenging them when needed, and supporting their growth and development.

While we often think of Jesus as the ultimate leader, he is also the ultimate follower. He bent his own will to that of his Father’s. Before Jesus was crucified, he prayed “not my will, but yours” (Luke 22:42). He taught us to pray, “your kingdom come, your will be done” (Matt 6:10). We learn to surrender our own will and follow.

Great leaders are followers.

Influence is not limited to our leadership roles.

Followership is just as imperative as leadership, though following is not nearly as enticing. Influence is not limited to our leadership roles. It begins as we engage our heart with a willingness to be a servant first—whether this be as leader or follower. As with leadership, followership is a hard journey in which we ascertain the needs of our leader and how best to serve them—all while navigating the natural demands of following.

We often deal with leaders who are temperamental, complicated, and inept at times—human! Leaders also deal with followers who are temperamental, complicated, and inept at times. We are all dealing with human realties and the people side of things. Following often teaches us what to be and not be when we are in leadership roles. We experience how things are seen and felt in the followership seat. These valuable lessons are best taught in learning to follow.

Servant First

The willingness to be a servant first opens the door for our hearts to be shaped as they need to be—to follow in whatever role God has put us in. One thing I know for sure, if God wants you somewhere, no man or mountain will stand in the way.

In Scripture, we see how Nehemiah was a cup bearer before he was a wall builder. Esther was an orphan before she was a queen. Gideon was hiding to press wheat before he was a mighty warrior. We should be resting in the moments of becoming a servant rather than scurrying after leadership roles. This means we focus on our demeanor, our heart, and our servanthood—and let God focus on where he would have us to be.

Your influence will come from your role as a servant. If we cultivate the servant within us—this is where we find our greatness.

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Dr. Kathleen Patterson is a professor and doctoral program director at the School of Business & Leadership at Regent University, where she has been since 1999. She is noted as an expert on Servant Leadership and sits on the boards of CareNet, Larry C. Spears Center, and the MENA Leadership Center. She can be reached at kathpat@regent.edu.

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