Followers

Followers have 4 basic needs, ie stability, compassion, trust and hope

- stability

"...I need to know the things around me are secure, they are real and they are going to last into the future and that is a critical part of what makes me feel secure in what I do..."

Barry Conchie et al as quoted by Fiona Smith, 2009e

- compassion

"...I need leaders to project the sense that they care about me, though they might not know me as a person. But, through their actions and through their words, they show some compassion for my existence and for what it is I want and need in life..."

Barry Conchie et al as quoted by Fiona Smith, 2009e

- trust

"...there has to be some honesty and openness in the face of the situation that confronts me. So, I don't trust the leader who speaks in Pollyanna language and who dresses up problems as easy to solve or pretends there are problems where there are none - because I can see through that..."

Barry Conchie et al as quoted by Fiona Smith, 2009e

- hope

"...the optimist tries to communicate to people that struggle is worthwhile, there is going to be benefit to be gained as a consequence of the hardship that we go through. That the future state we are going to create is better than the state that we are in, and that I am part of the solution rather than a passer-by watching what is going on..."

Barry Conchie et al as quoted by Fiona Smith, 2009e

It has been demonstrated that employees who strongly believe their leaders feel enthusiastic about the future, and engage considerably better in the workplace.