Kelley's follower typology

Disciplines > Leadership > Followership > Kelley's follower typology

Alienated | Passive | Conformist | Pragmatic | Exemplary | See also

Carnegie Mellon professor Robert Kelley identified five different follower styles.

Alienated followers

Alienated followers are deep and independent thinkers who do not willingly commit to any leader.

Passive followers

Passive followers do as they are told but do not think critically and are not particularly active participants.

Conformist followers

Conformists are more participative than passive followers, but do not provide particular challenge.

Pragmatic followers

Pragmatic followers are middling in their independence, engagement and general contribution.

Exemplary followers

Exemplary followers are ideal in almost all ways, excelling at all tasks, engaging strongly with the group and providing intelligent yet sensitive support and challenge to the leader.

See also

Kelley, R. (1992). The Power of Followership, Bantam Dell