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This article introduces the concept of followship and the importance of being a good follower in order to become a good leader. It covers topics such as respect for authority, attitude, integrity, listening, and self-discipline. The article provides examples and scenarios to help cadets understand and develop these qualities.
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Objectives • Introduction to followship – what is it all about? • Respect for Authority • Attitude • Integrity • Listening • Self-Discipline • Being a ‘Good Cadet’
Introduction to Followship • Not a real word – but it should be! • A school of thought which implies that in order to lead well, you must first be able to follow well • ‘The art of following a leader’
We are all followers • All but a very few of us are followers in one form or another • Eh?...well, think about it in terms of the ATC and the Royal Air Force…
Flt Sgt Sgt Sgt Sgt Cpl Cpl Cpl Cpl 123 (Anytown) Squadron Cadets (You)
Flt Lt Plt Off AWO ASgt 123 (Anytown) Squadron
Commandant Air Cadets (Air Commodore XXX) Regional Commandant (Gp Cpt XXX) Wing Commander (Wg Cdr XXX) Squadron Commander (Flt Lt XXX) We are all followers…
Chief of the Defence Staff (Air Chief Marshal XXX) Chief of the Air Staff (Air Chief Marshal XXX) Personnel and Training Command (Air Marshal XXX) We are all followers…
We are all followers… • The ATC has a rank structure – Cadets follow NCOs • NCOs follow ASNCOs & Officers • Squadron Officers follow Squadron Commanders • School teachers follow head teachers • John Prescott follows Tony Blair • Tony Blair follows George Bush
Being a good follower • So what is required to be able to follow effectively?: • Respect for Authority • Attitude • Integrity • Listening • Self-Discipline • Don’t go off the RAILS
Respect for Authority • By joining the ATC as a cadet you are entering into an oath which states that you will: • Obey ATC regulations e.g. AP 1919, ACP 20B, ACP 19 etc • Obey orders given to you by those appointed to positions of authority above you e.g. NCOs, ASNCOs & Officers • How do you respect authority? • Have you ever disrespected authority???
Attitude • The key to a good attitude is understanding • For instance, understanding authority, training, or activities • Knowledge of “the system” brings about a good attitude • A cadet must understand the activities and requirements of the ATC
Attitude • Examples of Good Attitude within the ATC… • A cadet who pays compliments to officers • A cadet who is committed • A cadet who honours their commitments • A cadet who keeps a good standard of appearance • A cadet who has a good bearing • A cadet with a good standard of drill • A cadet with a positive outlook • A helpful cadet • Somebody who does something without being asked
Attitude • A thoughtful cadet understands that these are necessary steps in military training that have been thought out and tested over many centuries in Her Majesty’s Armed Forces • An example of a cadet with a good attitude could be… • An example of a cadet with a bad attitude could be…
Integrity • What is it? • Honour - ‘reputation, self-perception or moral identity of an individual’ • Sticking to a code of conduct • A fine sense of ethics, justice, and ‘rightness’ coupled with the ability to apply it to your own conduct first • Trustworthiness • Dependability – doing any task asked of you from start to finish to a high standard
Integrity • When you have integrity, your conscience and character insist you treat others as well as you treat yourself – with respect • Self respect is gained by having integrity and will fill you with both moral and physical courage • Integrity empowers you to do the right thing even though it may be very hard to do it • It also empowers you to be selflessinstead of selfish • Honesty, trustworthiness, dependability and loyalty are characteristics that are expected and required of leaders and followers alike
Examples of Integrity • Scenario: You see one of your mates stealing from the Squadron canteen. What do you do?
Examples of Integrity • Scenario: You see a non-uniformed member of staff stealing from the Squadron canteen. What do you do?
Examples of Integrity • Scenario: You see a uniformed member of staff stealing from the Squadron canteen. What do you do?
Examples of Integrity • Scenario: You hear that one of your friends has been taking illegal drugs whilst on duty at the Squadron. What do you do?
Examples of Integrity • Scenario: You hear that one of your friends has been taking illegal drugs whilst away from the Squadron. What do you do?
Listening Good listeners: • Keep an open mind – do not allow your personal feelings to interfere with accepting new ideas which may prove better • Listen to understand, not to argue or challenge – argue, challenge or doubt only after you have heard the whole story • Listen to what the speaker says not how well they say it – they may have a great idea but might not express it well • Take notes with care – do not focus just on your notes as you will miss things • Make and hold eye contact – this will show the speaker that you care about what they are saying • Keep your feelings positive – it will help you to accept new ideas • Listen to good ideas and pass on credit when you pass these good ideas on
Listening • As a follower (and as a leader), listening is a must • It helps you understand what others mean when they are trying to help you
Self-Discipline • You do a task because you see that it needs to be done, not because you are told to do it • You show self-discipline when you complete necessary tasks even when they are unpleasant
Self-Discipline • Examples of self-discipline: • Sorting your uniform out before a parade night • Picking up litter around the Squadron as you see it and putting it in the bin instead of just walking past it • Complying to regulations of the ATC without having to be told e.g. paying compliments to officers • Completing your allocated tasks to the highest standards without having to be told to
Followship: Being a ‘Good Cadet’ • With the contents of this presentation in mind, a good cadet: • Respects authority by: • Paying compliments to commissioned officers of Her Majesty’s Armed Forces • Addressing cadet NCOs, adult SNCOs and officers correctly • Not being flippant or discourteous when NCOs, A/SNCOs and officers are asking you to complete tasks • Has a good attitude by: • Taking all training elements equally seriously and understanding their importance • Selling the ideals of the Corps through their actions e.g. behaving correctly when in public – painting a good image of the Squadron • Being positive in their outlook on all of the activities that the ATC has to offer
Followship: Being a ‘Good Cadet’ • With the contents of this presentation in mind, a good cadet: • Shows integrity by: • Doing the right thing • Honours their commitments to the Squadron and the Corps • Being reliable by completing assigned tasks to the highest standard • Being trustworthy in their actions • Shows Self-Discipline by: • Preparing their uniform to the highest standards for every parade night, not just some • Being punctual to events and turns out in the correct uniform with all of the required kit list • Filling out their 3822 with all of the events they attend and getting events signed off by the staff • Taking on and completing tasks even if they may be unpleasant • Demonstrates listening skills by: • Paying attention in all activities • Accepting new ideas or points of view before questioning them
Summary • A good cadet will demonstrate all of the facets of good followship • You must be an effective follower in order to grow into an effective leader – the two are interdependent • Junior leaders (i.e. cadet NCOs) need good followers in order to properly follow their leaders above them (i.e. A/SNCOs & officers) • Followship allows you to walk effectively before being able to run efficiently!
