5 Simple Steps to Become a Great Follower

Every great leader once followed a great leader before them. In order to become great leaders, we must first become great followers.  

It is important to have a mentor (a coach), someone that guides you and helps develop you into a next-level leader. A mentor needs to be someone worth following - a person that shares your passions and desires, a person that leads you on a straight path, a person that gives accurate and trustworthy advice, a person that equips you with the necessary tools to succeed.

If you have found someone truly worth following, become a great leader by first becoming a great follower:

1. Ask the right questions.  A mentor can only do so much...this relationship is a two-way street, so to speak. Therefore, it is important that you ask questions, and lots of them! Remember, this mentor is mentoring you for a reason. This leader has been through experiences, successes, and failures that can help you in your strive to become a next-level leader.
2. Learn from your mentor but don't copy them.  It is one thing to look up to your mentor and try to practice what they preach. It is an entirely different thing to just copy their every move, habit, etc. Take what your mentor says and apply it to your own life. Don't just copy everything they do, because you are not them and they are not you. There are some things your mentor will do or say that just won't apply to you personally.
3. Be open and honest.  This is crucial. If you want to walk away a better leader, it is an absolute must that you be 100% open and honest with your mentor. This is why it is so important you choose a mentor that you are able to talk to about anything and everything! In order to grow and learn, you must have an open and honest relationship with your mentor...TRUST your mentor.
4. Create value.  Creating and maintaining a valuable relationship with your mentor is key. To do this, make sure you schedule meetings at mutually-convenient times & places, have a plan of what you're going to discuss & study, and be in constant communication throughout the week. In order to get the most out of each meeting, it is important to schedule meetings that allow enough time to cover everything it is you want to cover. Having a plan ensures that you stay on topic and use your time wisely. Communicating with your mentor throughout the week shows that you care about them and allows for accountability. All of these practices create value and help develop a positive mentoring relationship.
5. Show gratitude to your mentor.  Don't ever be afraid to let your mentor know how much you appreciate them. Tell them how thankful you are for their leadership and willingness to pour into your life. I promise you, showing gratitude goes a LONG way!

Challenge:
If you're a young leader I strongly encourage you to find a mentor. Having a mentor is so beneficial in becoming a next-level leader. There are so many great leaders out there ready to invest in someone like YOU. I challenge you to step out in faith and enter into a positive mentoring relationship.


Have you ever been in a positive mentoring relationship? How important is it for young leaders to have a mentor?


Topics Discussed: Leaders, Leadership, Mentors, Mentoring