Leadership and Followership – Qualities of a Good Leader and Good Follower | Roles in Politics and Government SS 3 Government

GOVERNMENT

THEME – NIGERIA AND THE WORLD

TOPIC – LEADERSHIP AND FOLLOWERSHIP 

CLASS – SS 3

 

TOPIC – INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATION

LEARNING AREAS 

1. Meaning of Leadership and Followership

2. Quality of a Good Leader and Followers

3. The Roles Leaders and Followers in Politics

4. The Roles Leaders and Followers in Government

 

INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIAL

1. Textbooks

2. News magazines

3. Films

4. Newspaper cuttings

 

LEARNING OBJECTIVES

By the end of the lesson, students should be able to:

1. explain the meaning of leadership.

2. explain the meaning of followership.

3. discuss the qualities of a good leader.

4. discuss the qualities of a good follower.

5. explain their roles in politics.

6. explain their roles in government.

 

CONTENTS OF THE LESSON 

INTRODUCTION TO LEADERSHIP AND FOLLOWERSHIP

In essence, leadership and followership are interdependent and essential components of effective teamwork and organizational success. A good leader knows how to inspire and motivate their followers, while followers are committed to supporting and following their leader’s guidance. Together, they can achieve great things as a team.

 

MEANING OF LEADERSHIP

Leadership can be defined as the ability to inspire, influence, and guide others towards a common goal or vision. A leader is someone who possesses certain qualities and skills that enable them to effectively lead and motivate a group of people towards success.

 

QUALITY OF A GOOD LEADER

There are many qualities that contribute to being a good leader, but some of the most important ones include:

1. Communication

A good leader should be able to effectively communicate their vision, goals, and expectations to their team. They should also be able to listen actively and empathetically to others.

2. Integrity

A good leader should be honest, ethical, and trustworthy. They should act with integrity at all times and lead by example.

3. Empathy

A good leader should be able to understand and empathize with the thoughts, feelings, and perspectives of others. They should be able to build strong relationships with their team members and create a supportive and inclusive work environment.

4. Decision-making

A good leader should be able to make informed and timely decisions. They should be able to weigh the pros and cons of different options, consider the needs of their team, and make decisions that are in the best interest of the organization.

5. Adaptability

A good leader should be able to adapt to changing circumstances and handle unexpected challenges with grace and composure. They should be open to new ideas and willing to adjust their plans as needed.

6. Confidence

A good leader should have confidence in themselves and their abilities. They should be able to inspire and motivate their team, even in the face of uncertainty or adversity.

7. Accountability

A good leader should take responsibility for their actions and the actions of their team. They should be willing to admit mistakes, learn from them, and take steps to rectify any errors.

8. Strategic Thinking

A good leader should be able to think critically and strategically about the future of the organization. They should be able to develop and implement long-term plans and goals that align with the overall vision of the organization.

9. Team-building

A good leader should be able to build and maintain a strong, cohesive team. They should be able to recognize and nurture the strengths of individual team members, foster collaboration and communication, and resolve conflicts effectively.

 

MEANING OF FELLOWSHIP

Followership, on the other hand, refers to the act of willingly following and support a leader’s vision, direction, and decisions. Followers play an important role in a leader’s success by trusting and believing in their leadership abilities.

 

QUALITY OF A GOOD FOLLOWER

While leadership qualities are often emphasized, being a good follower is also important for the success of any team or organization. Some key qualities of a good follower include:

1. Loyalty

A good follower is loyal to their leader, team, and organization. They support the goals and values of the group and work towards achieving them.

2. Collaboration

A good follower works well with others and is able to collaborate effectively as part of a team. They contribute their skills, ideas, and effort towards achieving common goals.

3. Communication

Good followers communicate openly and effectively with their leaders and team members. They ask questions, seek clarification when needed, and provide constructive feedback.

4. Adaptability

Good followers are flexible and able to adapt to changing situations and priorities. They are open to new ideas and willing to adjust their approach as needed.

5. Initiative

Good followers show initiative by taking on tasks without being asked, seeking opportunities for growth and development, and actively contributing to the success of the team.

6. Accountability

Good followers take responsibility for their actions and their role within the team. They meet their commitments, admit mistakes when they occur, and learn from their experiences.

7. Respect

Good followers show respect for their leaders, colleagues, and the organization as a whole. They treat others with kindness, professionalism, and consideration.

8. Integrity

Good followers act with honesty and integrity in all their interactions. They adhere to ethical standards and values, even when faced with difficult decisions.

9. Supportiveness

Good followers provide support and encouragement to their leaders and team members. They offer help when needed, provide constructive feedback, and celebrate the successes of the team.

Overall, being a good follower requires demonstrating qualities such as loyalty, collaboration, communication, adaptability, initiative, accountability, respect, integrity, and supportiveness. By embodying these traits, followers can contribute positively to the success of their team and help achieve common goals and objectives.

 

ROLES OF LEADERSHIP AND FOLLOWERSHIP IN POLITICS

Leadership and followership are both essential components in politics, as they work together to achieve common goals and promote the well-being of society. Here are some key roles of leadership and followership in politics:

 

ROLES OF LEADERSHIP IN POLITICS

1. Setting a Vision

Political leaders are responsible for setting a clear vision and direction for their community or country. They articulate goals and priorities that guide the decision-making process and inspire others to work towards a common purpose.

2. Decision-making

Leaders in politics make crucial decisions that impact the lives of their constituents. They must gather input from various stakeholders, consider different perspectives, and ultimately make informed choices that serve the greater good.

3. Inspiring and Motivating

Political leaders inspire and motivate their followers through their words and actions. They rally support, build coalitions, and foster a sense of unity among diverse groups of people.

4. Communication

Effective communication is a key role of leadership in politics. Leaders must be able to articulate their ideas, engage with the public, and navigate complex issues with clarity and transparency.

5. Representing Interests

Leaders in politics represent the interests and concerns of their constituents. They advocate for policies and initiatives that align with the needs and values of the people they serve.

 

ROLES OF FOLLOWERSHIP IN POLITICS

1. Support and collaboration: Followers in politics provide support and collaborate with leaders to achieve common goals. They contribute ideas, resources, and energy to help advance the collective agenda.

2. Holding leaders accountable: Followers have a role in holding leaders accountable for their actions and decisions. They provide feedback, ask questions, and demand transparency to ensure that leaders act in the best interests of the public.

3. Advocacy and mobilization: Followers can advocate for causes, mobilize support, and raise awareness about important issues in society. They play a crucial role in advancing social change and shaping public opinion.

4. Critical Thinking

Followers in politics should engage in critical thinking and analysis of policies and decisions proposed by leaders. They should question assumptions, challenge ideas, and contribute to a well-informed public discourse.

Overall, effective leadership and followership in politics are interdependent and essential for promoting democracy, good governance, and positive social change. By working together, leaders and followers can contribute to a more inclusive, transparent, and responsive political system.

 

ROLES OF LEADERSHIP AND FELLOWSHIP IN GOVERNMENT

Leadership and fellowship play crucial roles in government in ensuring effective governance and fostering collaboration among government officials and the public.

 

THE ROLES OF LEADERSHIP IN GOVERNMENT

1. Setting the Vision and Goals for the Government

Leaders in government play a key role in setting the overall vision and goals for the government, guiding the direction in which policies and decisions are made.

2.Making Difficult Decisions

Leaders are responsible for making tough decisions that affect the country and its citizens, such as budget allocations, policy changes, and crisis management.

3. Inspiring and Motivating Others 

Effective leaders inspire and motivate government officials and citizens to work towards common goals and objectives, fostering a sense of unity and purpose.

3. Building Consensus

Leaders in government must be able to bring together diverse viewpoints and interests to build consensus and make decisions that benefit the greater good.

 

THE ROLES OF FELLOWSHIP IN GOVERNMENT

1. Promoting Collaboration and Teamwork

Fellowship within government promotes collaboration and teamwork among government officials, fostering a sense of camaraderie and shared purpose.

2. Building Relationships

Fellowship in government helps build relationships among government officials, fostering trust and cooperation that can lead to more effective policy-making and governance.

3. Engaging with the Public

By fostering fellowship with the public, government officials can better understand the needs and concerns of citizens and work together to address them.

4. Encouraging Transparency and Accountability

Fellowship promotes transparency and accountability in government by encouraging open communication and collaboration among officials and with the public.

 

LESSON PRESENTATION

TEACHER’S ACTIVITIES

The teacher,

1. leads discussion on leadership and followership.

2. shows a film of leaders and followers.

 

STUDENT’S ACTIVITIES

The students,

1. participate in the discussion on leadership and followership.

2. observe the film.

3. take notes.

 

LESSON EVALUATION

Teacher asks students to,

1. discuss the meaning of leadership and followership.

2. explain the qualities of a good leader and a good follower.

3. state their roles in politics and government.