In leadership, how do the roles of leader and follower relate in terms of the skills required?

In leadership, how do the roles of leader and follower relate in terms of the skills required?

• A. They use opposite skills
• B. They use not opposite skills
• C. They use unrelated skills
• D. They are performed separately

Answer: (B)

The main idea is that leader and follower roles share a common set of skills. Clear communication, problem-solving, adaptability, and the ability to influence (and be guided) are used by both. A leader applies these skills to set direction, make decisions, motivate, and coordinate the team, while a follower applies them to understand the plan, execute tasks, provide feedback, and align with the mission. The distinction is in how those skills are used within the interaction, not in whether the skills exist at all. That interdependent, complementary dynamic is why not opposite skills best fits the relationship. The other possibilities imply a disconnect or separation that doesn’t reflect how leadership and followership actually work together.