Why People Follow
Gallup Poll did this interesting survey where they asked 10,00 people two questions. One, “what leader has had the most positive influence in your daily life?” Two, “list three words that best describe what this person contributes to your life?” Gallup concluded from this poll that followers have four basic needs:
Trust
Compassion
Stability
Hope
These four needs don’t surprise me but the idea that our followers need something from us other than the mission is sobering. I often think about followers and what they can do for me or the mission not so much about what they need to feel fulfilled. But the more I think about what I can give them that they need, the more my followers can give me.
About the Author
Doug Franklin
Doug Franklin is the president of LeaderTreks, an innovative leadership development organization focusing on students and youth workers. Doug and his wife, Angie, live in West Chicago, Illinois. They don’t have any kids, but they have 2 dogs that think they are children. Diesel and Penelope are Weimaraners who never leave their side. Doug grew up in… Read More
