Introduction
A follower’s behavior is likely influenced by how a leader treats them. Therefore, using examples from the hospitality sector and other research-related businesses, this essay will examine leadership and the various theories that support this assertion. A follower’s conduct is influenced by how the person leading them treats them (McCormick et al., 2019).
Additionally, people respond to how they are managed; other theorists have investigated similar notions, and some have concluded that this may not be the case (Doern et al., 2019). Despite the various ways to define governance, it is referred to as encouraging others to follow, which is crucial in the hospitality sector (Doern et al., 2019). Challenging others supports the debate about whether a leader’s behavior affects followers’ behavior (Cortellazzo et al., 2019). There will be further discussion to determine if using power to influence people to share our goals is necessary.
Kinds of Leaders by Traits and Qualities and Their Influence
There are several types of leaders, and their approaches to leading impact outcomes and achievements are based on how their followers perceive them and whether they are effective in motivating others to follow. Over time, theories on leadership and what defines a successful leader have evolved (Contreras et al., 2020). Theorists have commented on the qualities that make for effective leadership and those that lead to poor leadership (Saputra, 2021). Without followers, the administration is pointless, as the leader has no impact on them (Lanaj & Jennings, 2020). Therefore, a leader’s actions influence their followers; followers, in turn, sometimes manage their own behavior.
Confidence, gregariousness, social competence, emotional well-being, and life satisfaction are a few traits associated with a leader’s advantage. These features empower the leader because of their unique qualities (Grass et al., 2020). It is necessary to implement new initiatives and changes in the workplace. However, this could be viewed differently depending on whether one is the leader or the follower (Doern et al., 2019).
An interactive connection is more effective than a hierarchical approach (Gesang & Süß, 2021). Leadership has been defined as the role of individuals who report to someone in authority or obey commands. The leader and the followers are equally involved in making choices and attaining goals (Al Khajeh, 2018). Followers play a similarly significant role in making decisions and achieving objectives, even if they view followership as a matter of adhering to a leader’s authority and beliefs.
It is important to have followers in the hotel industry and many other organizations. Using Hilton as an example, a server would be the follower, and the food and beverage director would be the leader (Doern et al., 2019). Roles are easier to recognize, distinguish, and arrange using a hierarchy (Huang et al., 2021). The server will feel less pressure since they may address problems with people in higher positions, who are seen as more confident. It indicates how the leader may impact the follower, as they can offer more assistance, which will likely improve their connection (Al Harbi et al., 2019).
Giving power and responsibility to followers helps relieve pressure on leaders and provides followers with a sense of achievement. The follower is essential to making decisions and having the courage to support the leader’s decisions (Wallenius et al., 2020). This is because if followers were to constantly ask their leaders for advice and guidance while performing their duties, the operation would be slowed down, which could cause problems.
Followers’ Types and Influence on Leaders
Furthermore, Hip summarized some essential ideas for investigating followers, believing five categories exist. It comprises aloof, involved, intensely feeling, committed, and observing followers. These followers exhibit distinct behavior patterns due to their unique personality traits. Their conduct toward the leader may affect the results and the objectives being pursued.
Big brands like Apple, Tesco, and Hilton have something in common: they all have followers who implement the choices and suggestions of their leaders (Masumba, 2019). Depending on the personality of these followers, this may be detrimental to the organization. For instance, if a cashier is uninterested in their work and lacks a connection with their leader, this may affect the quality of their output, which in turn could impact goal achievement. Nadvi and Junaid addressed the characteristics of followers, such as their self-management and self-motivational behaviors (Doern et al., 2019). This illustrates the followers’ independence and supports the idea that there can be no followers without leaders, since they are independent thinkers who can participate and govern themselves without needing a leader.
Types of Leadership by Origin
How the leader is established is another issue that might affect a follower’s or a leader’s behavior. Sometimes, leaders do not have to be chosen; they appear. This occurs when someone stands forward to assume the leadership role or become the leader because others naturally follow their lead and implement their suggestions due to their personality qualities and interactions with others (Khairani et al., 2020). This may lead to conflict between the chosen leader and those who follow. Because of the trust and respect they have earned, followers are more inclined to listen to and follow the emergent leader if their connection with them is favorable.
Emergent leaders concur with the concept that leaders are not born, but instead created. Those who have emerged have honed talents that have made them someone others may look up to for inspiration and believe they will succeed if they follow (Khairani et al., 2020). Therefore, getting people to do things that reflect the values and motives—the desires and needs, the ambitions and expectations—of both the leader and the followers is crucial.
Task-Oriented and Relational Leadership
Earlier thinkers described task-oriented and relational leadership as two different leadership styles. When a leader is solely task-oriented, interactions with individuals are neglected in favor of the duties at hand. Although research has yet to demonstrate that successful leaders employ both leadership philosophies, it does show that utilizing both effectively in a given scenario yields better results.
Different effects on the followers may result from each form of leadership. The leader may get too comfortable and emotionally invested in the connection, which might allow followers to exploit the leader (Dinh et al., 2021). On the other hand, it could have a beneficial effect on the leader. Suppose the team’s leader engages with them, supports them, learns about their behaviors, and builds stronger bonds. In that case, they may be more motivated to work harder and contribute to achieving the overall objective.
Similar to task-oriented management, it can have both advantages and disadvantages. The accomplishment of the final objective might be jeopardized by a strict leader who is only concerned with reaching the goal, rather than with the followers. However, this kind of leadership may offer the followers clear advice, communication, and clarity, enabling them to carry out their duties successfully (Ahmad et al., 2022). In the hospitality sector, such as a hotel, the manager is likely more concerned with getting the work done, adhering to the goals, and being more rigid and organized with staff. While a manager is in charge of the team, they may employ more innovative methods to motivate others to complete tasks rather than relying on force.
Universal Influence of Leaders on Followers
In any leadership position, the leader has influence and authority over those who follow them. Coercive and rewarding control are discussed in this examination of various forms of power. Some leaders have a propensity to use coercive tactics to exercise their authority, issuing punishments to disobedient team members in the form of dismissal, negative evaluations, or unfavorable assignments.
This authority may instill fear in followers, compelling them to cooperate (Parekh, 2019). Still, it may also have the opposite effect, leading to team disagreements, bad morale, and poor productivity. As a result of the leader’s ability to use rewards, team members may be more productive and have higher group morale because they know that meeting their goals will result in rewards.
Examples
Nonetheless, Hitler, the head of the Nazi party, and Jan Swartz, the proprietor of the third-largest cruise line in the world, are two examples of very different leaders who have demonstrated their ability to exert control and influence over their adherents. Hitler used his position of authority as a dictator to enforce conformity. He was successful in this endeavor because he could direct his staff to commit mass murder.
Hitler was able to convince his supporters that the work he was doing was to save the country, which made him appear heroic to them (Myerhoff, 2019). The idea that the person in charge was strong and brave encouraged his subordinates to support his initiatives, demonstrating that behaviors, particularly, have an impact.
One of the most significant cruise lines in the world is overseen by Jan Swartz, who is accused of abusing authority by forcing employees to follow strict rules and business development tactics (Dickerson, 2022). Power was constructively utilized to establish long-lasting bonds with colleagues and win their confidence in her ability to run operations at Princess, allowing her to expand the business. Because followers are at the center of the process, the line would only be as successful as their ability to effectively spread their ideas and work toward shared goals.
Impact of Authority on Followership
When in a position of authority, leaders can convey information to team members in various ways. The team may experience problems if the leader favors one subordinate over another. Additionally, saying something different to one team member than to another might be misinterpreted, causing inequality and making the team dynamic less effective than it should be. Effective communication has been shown to increase satisfaction, which in turn affects work quality and productivity (Mehreza & Bakria, 2019).
On the other hand, when it comes to positions of authority, reverse psychology may be employed by disclosing failures and missed deadlines. It is done in a way that motivates team members to take the initiative and put in more effort to win back respect and feel proud of themselves for accomplishing objectives they were criticized for not achieving. Theorists have demonstrated that, whether positively or negatively, the exercise of authority in a team environment influences followers’ behavior.
Emotionally competent leaders can recognize and comprehend their feelings and those of others. Emotions play a crucial role in decision-making, and emotionally qualified individuals tend to positively influence job performance, which can impact their overall approach. This is because team members occasionally experience pressure and have various concerns, but they only sometimes want to discuss them (Mehreza & Bakria, 2019). The team can function more effectively if the team leader recognizes these warning indicators and addresses them with their team members. Additionally, it has been discovered that having emotional competence leads to better outcomes in teams, as relational skills, such as inspiring, communicating, and cooperating, help individuals understand group dynamics, which can be handled more effectively by someone with emotional competence.
Conclusion
In conclusion, leaders can have a variety of personalities and attributes, some of which are more influential on followers than others. It is challenging to determine whether a leader’s behavior influences that of their followers and vice versa, given the success of many leaders. Theorists have noted that followers’ behavior may change negatively if they are treated improperly or if the leader cedes too much control, leading to resentment and unproductive behavior (Akinmoladun, 2022). The age and gender of the leader can also influence follower behavior, both positively and negatively.
It is crucial to understand the role of followers and their impact, given remarks that suggest there is no need for leaders without followers. Unhappy followers are less likely to be effective and adhere to the leader’s ideals. Some people may feel frightened by the possibility of losing their job or facing discipline if they do not comply with the request. Overall, it is clear that a leader’s behavior can affect a follower, and a follower’s behavior can, in turn, influence the leader’s behavior. Research has also shown that an individual’s effect is based on them, including their overall personality traits and qualities.
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