Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) Organizational Leadership Practice Test

Which type of follower operates under direct influence and authority of a leader?

1. Effective Follower

2. Conformist Follower

3. Followership

4. Ingratiation

The correct answer is: Followership

The concept of followership describes the dynamics between leaders and their followers, focusing on how individuals contribute to a group's shared objectives. In this context, followers who operate under direct influence and authority of a leader are described within categories related to their engagement and support of leadership. The term "followership" encompasses the entire relationship and process of following a leader, emphasizing how followers are affected by a leader's authority. This definition aligns with the idea that these individuals are positioned directly under the leader’s influence, actively participating in a team or organization’s goals due to the leader’s guidance and authority. While the other terms refer to specific types or strategies of following—such as "effective" or "conformist" followers, who have their characteristics and levels of independence or support—"followership" as a broader term captures the essence of operating directly under a leader's influence more comprehensively. This distinction highlights the important relationship between leaders and their followers in organizational settings, where the type of followership can vary based on the nature of the influence exerted by the leader.