Lead today, follow tomorrow? How to manage the ebb and flow of leader and follower identities

Nieberle, Karolina W.; Acton, Bryan P.; Fu, Yue; Lord, Robert G.; Braun, Susanne

doi:10.4324/9781003377450

Lead today, follow tomorrow? How to manage the ebb and flow of leader and follower identities

Nieberle, Karolina W.; Acton, Bryan P.; Fu, Yue ; Lord, Robert G.; Braun, Susanne

Authors

Dr Karolina Nieberle karolina.w.nieberle@durham.ac.uk
Assistant Professor

Bryan P. Acton

Yue Fu

Robert Lord robert.lord@durham.ac.uk
Emeritus Professor

Professor Susanne Braun susanne.braun@durham.ac.uk
Professor

Contributors

Susanne Braun
Editor

Tiffany Keller Hansbrough
Editor

Gregory A. Ruark
Editor

Robert G. Lord
Editor

Rosalie J. Hall
Editor

Olga Epitropaki
Editor

Abstract

Leader and follower identities are fundamental drivers of leader and follower behaviors. This chapter shows why understanding the changing nature of leader and follower identities will help you on your personal development journey. In the beginning, we discuss why it is important that people become aware of their leader and follower identities and when they are active. Based on three examples, we illustrate the key concepts of leader-follower identity liminality, leader-follower identity switching, and shared leadership. Next, we explore why leader and follower identities are always changing and explain how identities (who we are) are closely linked to events (what we do) and emotions (how we feel). After reviewing the factors that can temporarily change your leader and follower identities, we provide you with the Leader-Follower Identity Tracker (LFIT), an online tool that allows you to assess and reflect on the changing nature of your identities.

Citation

Nieberle, K. W., Acton, B. P., Fu, Y., Lord, R. G., & Braun, S. (2024). Lead today, follow tomorrow? How to manage the ebb and flow of leader and follower identities. In S. Braun, T. Keller Hansbrough, G. A. Ruark, R. G. Lord, R. J. Hall, & O. Epitropaki (Eds.), Navigating leadership: Evidence-based strategies for leadership development (9–15). Routledge. https://doi.org/10.4324/9781003377450

Online Publication Date	Aug 15, 2024
Publication Date	Aug 15, 2024
Deposit Date	Apr 10, 2025
Publicly Available Date	Feb 16, 2026
Pages	9–15
Book Title	Navigating leadership: Evidence-based strategies for leadership development
DOI	https://doi.org/10.4324/9781003377450
Keywords	leader development; leader identity dynamics
Public URL	https://durham-repository.worktribe.com/output/3786273
Publisher URL	https://www.taylorfrancis.com/chapters/edit/10.4324/9781003377450-2/lead-today-follow-tomorrow-manage-ebb-flow-leader-follower-identities-karolina-nieberle-bryan-acton-yue-angelique-fu-robert-susanne-braun