Role of Followership Dimensions in Shaping Leaders’ Behavior

Abstract

It was believed that leaders are the most important in the organizations by overlooking the significance of the followers. On the other hand followers have also the same importance and can play important role in shaping the leaders’ behavior. Followers through their active engagement and independent critical thinking can bring change in the organizations as well as leaders; behaviors. The aim of this study is to identify the role of followership dimensions in shaping leaders’ behavior. A quantitative study design was applied to determine the attributes underlying the phenomenon of followership and transformational leadership style. For this purpose survey approach was used. Self-administered questionnaire was used to collect the primary data. The nature of the study and data was quantitative and cross sectional. Non-probability sampling technique was used. Frequency, percentage, Cronbach alpha, exploratory factor analysis, correlation and regression were used to test hypotheses. Findings revealed that there is significant relationship found between followership, transactional and transformational leadership styles. Moreover followership significantly predicts leadership behavior. It is concluded that management of higher education institutions must pay attention to followers. Followers can play significant role in the organizations of managers allow them to participate in decision making. This implies that followers have impact on the behavior of their management. They can influence the decisions made by the management. Positive criticism is good for the organizations. It brings effectiveness and makes the organizations efficient. This study is one of the pioneer studies to identify the impact of followers on leadership style in higher education institutions (HEIs).