Charismatic, a strong personality, a sense of purpose.No doubt you have heard these phrases before, especially in the context of leadership.People admire and look up to leaders but have you ever considered that the position may not have all the advantages that people believe it to have?How many times have you seen the leading walker fall into unseen ditches hidden in the grass?How many times have you seen him disappear up to his waist in a peat bog which looked like an innocent patch of grass?Think of the mental strain of teetering along a narrow ridge, not knowing whether the rocks are slippery or are going to crumble away, pitching the leader into the abyss.Is the adulation of others worth it?Remember the conversations during hospital visiting hours, “You were magnificent, leading us off the mountain in appalling conditions.It’s a shame that you fell over the cornice.Luckily the rest of us saw you go and were able to stop in time.”No, my friends, the qualities that you should be developing are those of Followership.

As has been said before, “Anyone can be uncomfortable in the hills, it takes an expert to be comfortable.”Practitioners of Followership are likely to lead longer and safer lives than those of their more assertive leaders.They avoid the pitfalls exposed by those who have gone before them.You may ask yourself why you have not noticed the attributes of Followership before.The truth is that Followership is a subtle art; its best exponents are undetected in the practice of their skills.

A simple example of the art of Followership is stopping for a pee during your club walk.In mixed company, stopping to tie your boot laces is more acceptable.Either ploy will ensure that you are not exposed to the dangers at the front of the pack.Stopping to look at maps and taking bearings are more subtle ploys.They give the impression of leadership and enhance your reputation with your fellow walkers whilst secretly improving your qualities of Followership.

What should you do if, despite all your efforts, you find yourself at the front of the group?One sure-fire strategy is to take a wrong turning then walk as fast as you can.After a while you stop and say, “Oh dear, we’ve taken a wrong turning, we’ll have to turn back.”This will put you safely at the back of the pack again.

Charismatic - “How come he’s a strong walker yet he’s always at the back of the group?”

A strong personality - “Yes Fred, I think that you should lead us on the next section past the cornice.”

A sense of purpose - “I know you think this is the right track but I must check the map again.”

You see, these qualities apply just as well to Followership as they do to leadership.A further attribute of Followership is that you cannot be blamed when everyone gets lost.Indeed, you can give full rein to your creative abilities in heaping insults upon the hapless leader. I urge you therefore to reconsider your values and ask yourself whether Followership is not a more desirable aim.

It is, of course, possible to lead from the back but that is a deeper game!