This is an outstanding article! Hopper is the Director of Office of Training and Development for Georgetown University. She discusses their implementation of Ira Chaleff's Courageous Follower course in their Leadership Training Program. She is very intentional about integrating Greenleaf's Servant Leadership ideas into her conversation. Her thoughts are excellent and practical.
But probably the most interesting aspect of her article was her lengthy description of "The Problem with Ernie." She tells a story of an intentional follower who eventually had such difficulties with his manager he sent a letter bomb to the manager's home, seriously injuring the manager's daughter. Hopper's haunting experience with Ernie serves as a good reminder of the stakes involved in our conversations.
Hopper also makes an interesting reference to Jesus at the close of her article. She says, "Followership...is the foundation of all partnerships. When Jesus of Galilee said, "Come, follow me," He did not seek blind obeisance, sycophants, or toadies. He knew that His path would be treacherous, and that making the decision to follow required personal discernment and commitment to God. Follow me. In two words we can extend an invitation to participate, collaborate, grow, and achieve. In two words, we can offer ourselves as servant leaders worthy of support and commitment."
I agree.
But probably the most interesting aspect of her article was her lengthy description of "The Problem with Ernie." She tells a story of an intentional follower who eventually had such difficulties with his manager he sent a letter bomb to the manager's home, seriously injuring the manager's daughter. Hopper's haunting experience with Ernie serves as a good reminder of the stakes involved in our conversations.
Hopper also makes an interesting reference to Jesus at the close of her article. She says, "Followership...is the foundation of all partnerships. When Jesus of Galilee said, "Come, follow me," He did not seek blind obeisance, sycophants, or toadies. He knew that His path would be treacherous, and that making the decision to follow required personal discernment and commitment to God. Follow me. In two words we can extend an invitation to participate, collaborate, grow, and achieve. In two words, we can offer ourselves as servant leaders worthy of support and commitment."
I agree.
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