"You Have My Support"

The dynamic dance between leaders and followers fascinates me. You can't have one without the other. Yet, so much leadership training focuses solely on the leader—what they need to do, how they need to inspire, and the skills they need to develop. But what about training us to be tremendous followers?

My doctoral research, two of my books, and the one I'm currently working on all explore the power of followership. It's a subject that doesn't get nearly enough attention. If I could go back and emphasize one thing in my own leadership journey, it would be to hone my followership skills. Like so many others, I was always looking ahead to the next role, to what I thought a leader should be, and in doing so, I missed countless opportunities to be an exemplary follower.

One of the most striking cinematic moments that captures the power of followership is a scene from Darkest Hour. This film chronicles Winston Churchill's early days as Prime Minister of the United Kingdom during World War II, a time when Britain stood on the brink of destruction. Churchill faced immense pressure from his own party, his war cabinet, and international forces urging him to negotiate peace with Hitler. The weight of the world was on his shoulders, and he was spent—beaten down, exhausted, and isolated.

Then, something extraordinary happened.

King George VI, a man who had initially doubted Churchill's leadership, paid him an unexpected visit. Churchill, discouraged and emotionally drained, expected more resistance, more questions, and perhaps even more criticism. Instead, the King simply said, "You have my support."

In that moment, everything changed. You could see the life flow back into Churchill's spirit. The man who would go on to become one of the most outstanding leaders the West has ever known found renewed strength—not from a new strategy, not from an inspiring speech, but from the unwavering support of a follower in a position of influence. King George was not just a ceremonial figure in this exchange—he was an active, engaged follower who understood that his role was to strengthen his leader for the battles ahead.

If you want a better leader, be a better follower. Leadership is not about standing alone at the top—it's about those who stand with you. Most leaders are subjected to relentless criticism, second-guessing, stress, political maneuvering, and even betrayals from their own ranks. The greatest gift you can give your leader is to tell them, "You have my support"—and then back it up with action. And if you can't do that, find a leader you can support wholeheartedly.

This isn't about blind loyalty to corrupt, immoral, or unethical leaders. It is about everyday people—leaders like you and me—who are striving to do the best they can as they grow on their own leadership journeys. These are leaders who are trying to make a difference but can't do it alone.

In his seminal work The Power of Followership, Robert Kelley explored this very concept. I first read this book nearly a decade ago, during a period of deep self-reflection. I was grappling with why certain people I had worked hard to lead had not panned out the way I had hoped. Kelley's research confirmed what I had come to realize—followership is just as crucial as leadership, and often, the missing piece in the leadership puzzle is the strength of those who follow.

So take a moment today to tell your leader, "You have my support." Watch what happens next. You just might breathe new life into someone who desperately needs it.

And if you want to be a great leader tomorrow, start by being a great follower today.