I have read so many things recently, most of them are from my friends.
I have over the years developed special concern and attention to the things my friends do that l follow them up. Most times, l call them up so we could discuss on certain things especially when l see them error.
Today, l want to share my view on leadership and “Followership”; The mentorship example.
I see many of my friends query decision of their mentors over certain political decisions.
First, while this is my opinion as stated earlier, l do not intend to say mentors don’t make mistakes!
But may l state clearly that no good follower corrects his mentor openly- take it from any angle, followers follow, in most times guide their leaders from making mistakes but if their leaders mistakenly make mistake, they must be in that mistake together, trust the decision of their leader and work hard to come out of it together until they become stronger.
As a follower, l have had reasons to point certain things to my leaders, but must be very observant not to even allow them make mistakes before l come out to castigate them in the name of correction.
“Followership” is a process and one must be ready to trust that process.
“Followership” demands patience, try not to act as if you know more than your leader.
Do not choose a mentor you think you know more than. Why we query the decisions of our leaders is because we believe we know better, your leader must always know more than you, that is why he is your leader.
Don’t mistake Loyalty for slavery; Yes, most times, observers will call you slave for following your mentor blindly, but of course you must follow your leader blindly, understand one thing, it is your learning time, no one has ever enjoyed his learning time, the aspersion will come, the humiliation will come,the temptation will come, the name calling will definitely come but once you come out of it, all that remain in the past.
A good leader must be a good follower! Be ready to follow if you want to become a good leader tomorrow!
As a follower, you must make people see your leader as the best! It is for your own good, tomorrow, you will be seen as a leader trained by the best hand!
We must always understand that it is certain that once in every political time, your leader will sacrificially take a decision that will not only hurt you but negate what he has taught you over time,don’t trust that decision, trust your leader! Follow him carefully until the end.
Never you become so disappointed to a point of not believing in your leader, never throw tantrums on him, keep following.
“Followership” is one of the most difficult prices to pay, it is not for every body, it is for special people.
There are periods l wasn’t comfortable with some decisions of my leader but l never queried them, l allowed time to teach me why he took those decisions and at the end, l realized l could have taken same decisions if l was in his shoes.
Most times, where you think your leader has failed you, allow time to heal you. You can’t heal yourself.
Finally,as a growing leader,don’t stop learning,don’t stop updating yourself, it will help you understand the signs of time..
Alibest Mayaki
Formal Nallags President
Fromal PRO SUG Kadpoly
Formal SSA Student of Affairs to LG Chairman
PA 11 to Chairman Kogi State Youth Council