I recognize that some of the vocabulary I use in this post might sound objectionable to you. I welcome your thoughts on alternatives and better phrasings.
In nonprofit spaces, the word follower sometimes carries a negative connotation. People may associate it with passivity, a lack of initiative, or even weakness. Yet the truth is that followers are essential to every successful venture, organization, and community effort.
Some practitioners have even suggested replacing the word “follower” with alternatives like community people in community work or partnership members in partnership work. Whatever term you choose, the point remains: effective followers are the foundation of progress.
What Makes an Effective Follower?
Good followers are not passive. They participate enthusiastically, intelligently, and responsibly in pursuit of group or organizational goals. They share many of the same traits as leaders, including:
- Independence and critical thinking
- Initiative in their roles and responsibilities
- Commitment to the mission and the collective vision
- Creativity in solving problems and improving systems
At the heart of nonprofit work, every one of us is both a leader and a follower. When you’re engaged in learning or working alongside your team, you’re in a follower role. But being a follower doesn’t mean being sheepish or disengaged—it means contributing actively, thinking critically, and moving the mission forward.
How Leaders and Followers Differ
So what makes a leader distinct? Leaders take on responsibility for guiding the whole. Their role involves:
- Creating and communicating a compelling vision for the group
- Helping define activities and goals that move toward that vision
- Supporting others in building the skills and commitment needed to succeed
In this sense, leadership is less about authority and more about facilitation. Good leaders don’t hoard control. Instead, they create opportunities for others to step into leadership roles themselves. They set the vision, help define the path, and then ensure the group has the resources, tools, and encouragement it needs to succeed.
Empowerment in Practice
One of the most important aspects of leadership in nonprofits today is fostering empowerment. Leaders cannot directly “give” people power, but they can create a climate where others feel free to express their strengths and remove barriers that hold them back.
Research in community-based programs consistently shows that the most effective initiatives thrive when all voices are involved—especially at the grassroots level. When community members are engaged and empowered, programs become stronger, more relevant, and more sustainable.
The Many Hats of a Nonprofit Leader
Because empowerment shifts the dynamic between leaders and followers, nonprofit leaders often find themselves stepping into roles that go beyond traditional “command-and-control” approaches. They may act as:
- Teachers and coaches — developing the capacity of staff, volunteers, and community members
- Facilitators — enabling others to take on the work and lead aspects of it themselves
- Resource providers — ensuring the right tools, funding, and networks are available
- Communicators of vision — keeping the mission and goals front and center
- Climate setters — building a culture where inclusion, respect, and innovation can thrive
Leaders and Followers Are Both Essential
The nonprofit sector depends on both leaders and followers. Leaders articulate vision and remove barriers; followers bring energy, ideas, and commitment that bring that vision to life. The relationship is not hierarchical in the traditional sense—it’s reciprocal.
As you reflect on your own role within your nonprofit, consider this: at times, you may be called to lead. At other times, you may serve best as a follower. What matters is how both roles work together in service of the mission.
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