(Photo courtesy of Rob Walsh – unsplash.com)
Do you want to get ahead in your career?
If you’re in your 20s, chances are you’re hearing a lot about leadership — how to stand out, take initiative, and build influence. And sure, leadership is important. But there’s one truth that doesn’t get enough attention:
You can’t become a great leader until you’ve learned to be a great follower.
That might sound disappointing — even backwards. After all, isn’t “just following” the thing you’re supposed to grow out of? Aren’t leaders the ones who break free from following the crowd?
Not exactly.
The best leaders — the ones who inspire, empower, and create lasting change — didn’t skip the follower stage. They embraced it. Because following well teaches you skills that no leadership book or TED Talk can provide.
Here’s why mastering the art of following is the secret to becoming a leader people actually want to follow — and how you can use this time in your life to lay the foundation.
Why Following Isn’t Weak — It’s Smart
In today’s hustle culture, following gets a bad rap. People act like being a follower means being passive — someone who just nods along, takes orders, and avoids risk. But real following isn’t about mindless obedience — it’s about learning, observing, and developing the skills you’ll need when it’s your turn to lead.
Here’s what following teaches you — that leadership alone won’t:
1. You Learn to Listen (Like, Really Listen)
Great leaders don’t just bark orders — they listen. They read the room. They know when to speak and when to stay quiet. And that skill comes from time spent following.
When you’re a follower, your job isn’t to dominate the conversation — it’s to pay attention. You learn to read between the lines, understand what motivates people, and notice how decisions are made. Every great leader you admire mastered that skill — and they learned it by following first.
2. You Discover What Good (and Bad) Leadership Looks Like
Being a follower gives you front-row seats to leadership in action. You’ll witness leaders who inspire — and others who alienate. Some will build trust; others will break it. Some will make hard decisions with grace; others will crumble under pressure.
These experiences are priceless. They teach you what kind of leader you want to become — and what mistakes you’ll avoid.
3. You Develop Humility (And That’s a Superpower)
Good followers know they don’t have all the answers. Instead, they’re willing to learn, adapt, and support the greater good. That mindset — being humble enough to take direction and contribute without ego — is exactly what makes future leaders magnetic.
Nobody trusts a leader who thinks they know everything. People follow leaders who are confident — but humble enough to ask for help.
4. You Build Grit and Patience
Following can feel frustrating. You’ll have ideas that get ignored. You’ll work hard without recognition. You’ll watch other people get credit for things you helped build. And guess what? That’s all part of the process.
These moments teach you resilience. They train you to stay calm when things don’t go your way. They prepare you for leadership by proving you can stay committed — even when you’re not in the spotlight.
How to Follow Like a Future Leader
Following isn’t just about “waiting your turn.” It’s an active, intentional process — one that prepares you to lead with skill and character. Here’s how to make the most of it:
1. Own Your Role — Even When It’s Small
Being a follower doesn’t mean shrinking into the background. Whatever your role — whether you’re the intern, the assistant, or the newest employee — show up like your work matters. Because it does.
Leaders are always watching for people who take pride in what they do — no matter how “small” the task may seem. Show them that you’re not just coasting — you’re invested.
2. Ask Smart Questions
Curiosity is one of the fastest ways to develop leadership skills. Don’t just follow instructions — ask why. Seek to understand the bigger picture.
- “What’s the goal behind this project?”
- “How do you decide which ideas to prioritize?”
- “What do you wish you knew when you were in my position?”
These questions show that you’re engaged — and they unlock insights that will shape your own leadership style down the road.
3. Pay Attention to People, Not Just Processes
Leadership isn’t just about strategy — it’s about people. As a follower, observe how your leaders connect (or fail to connect) with others.
- Who makes people feel heard?
- Who knows how to calm a tense situation?
- Who’s the person everyone goes to for advice?
The leaders who build trust aren’t always the loudest — but they’re the ones people turn to when things get hard. Watch those people. Learn from them.
4. Be Reliable — Especially When It’s Hard
Want to impress your future mentors and managers? Become the person they can count on — especially when things are messy, stressful, or uncertain.
Reliability isn’t flashy, but it’s powerful. Show up on time. Meet deadlines. Follow through on what you say you’ll do. These habits make you indispensable — and leaders notice.
5. Support Other Followers
Great leaders aren’t just focused on “managing up” — they also build strong connections with their peers. Encourage your teammates. Celebrate their wins. Offer support when they’re struggling.
Leaders aren’t just respected for what they accomplish — they’re admired for how they lift others along the way.
The Magic Happens When You Combine Both
The best leaders don’t just give orders — they create space for others to contribute. They know how to follow the energy of a room, when to hold back, and when to lean in.
They lead confidently — but they also listen, adapt, and know when to let someone else’s idea take center stage. That balance — knowing when to step forward and when to step back — is what makes leaders magnetic.
And that wisdom? It comes from being a great follower first.
Your Time as a Follower Is Your Leadership Training Ground
If you’re in your 20s, this is your moment to embrace the role of a follower — not as a passive bystander, but as an active student of leadership.
This is where you learn the skills no job title can give you — how to listen, how to build trust, how to lead with both confidence and humility.
So, follow well. Ask smart questions. Support your teammates. Pay attention to the leaders who inspire you — and the ones who don’t.
Because someday — sooner than you think — you’ll find yourself in a position to lead.
And when that moment comes, you’ll be ready — not just because you know what to say or how to give orders — but because you understand what it feels like to follow with intention, integrity, and heart.
And that’s the kind of leader people can’t wait to follow.
