Updates on Follower-Centric Views H

Updates on Follower-Centric Views
Howell & Shamir (2005) put forth some important theoretical propositions regarding how follower traits and characteristics might influence leader and follower relationships (also see Dvir & Shamir 2003). Specifically, they identified followers’ self-concept clarity and collective identity as important factors in determining how followers form charismatic relationships with their leader. Howell & Shamir (2005) then suggested that followers, who have a personalized relationship with a charismatic leader, may be more likely to show blind loyalty, obedience, and deference. Carsten et al. (2007) examined how individuals hold divergent social constructions of followership that seem to coalesce around levels of passivity or proactivity, which followers believe could lead to effectiveness in their role. Thus, like leaders, not all followers are created equal in the minds of followers. This pattern was re- flected in the work of Kelley (1992), who conceptualized followers as falling into quadrants, based on their being active or passive followers as well as whether they were critical or noncritical thinkers.