Leaders, Followers And Politics: What Has It Become In Our Days?

We often complain about bad leaders. We criticize politicians who forget the people they promised to serve, leaders who become inaccessible after attaining office, and individuals who call authority superiority. There is perhaps, a more uncomfortable question we need to ask:

When allowed to lead, would we really be different?

Leadership has become politics, and the voices of the people have been held hostage. No one wants to speak because of the fear of being silenced, victimized, or rusticated. Those who are meant to fight for justice are no longer in a position to do so. No one feels free to speak, question, protest, or make a video about the issues that affect them. Every struggle has become a form of adaptation, while power remains in the hands of those who call themselves leaders. I used to think leadership was about service. I believed it was about listening to people, representing their interests, creating new ideas, and developing policies that could bring meaningful change.

But what happens when leadership becomes nothing more than a title? No accountability, no new ideas, no agenda, no policies, just a title and the power that comes with it. Perhaps the greatest tragedy is not that leadership has become political, but that people have gradually learned to survive under it rather than challenge it.

The question should be: Who can tame these leaders?

They continue because they believe no one can call them to order, refusing to be corrected. These days, it is unfortunate that leadership is often reduced to titles, awards, and recognition. Many people pursue leadership positions simply to strengthen CVs, build personal brands, or gain access to opportunities, without fully embracing the responsibility of serving others. Leadership is, first and foremost, a profound act of service. Leadership has never been just about status.

Every aspiring leader should regularly ask themselves a simple but important question: What are people saying about my leadership? While public opinion is not always right, feedback reveals whether your actions are truly impacting the people you were called to serve. In today's world, where social media amplifies both achievements and failures, nothing goes unnoticed. Leaders are constantly being observed, and with visibility comes accountability. Every decision, every word, and every action contributes to the legacy a leader leaves behind. A good leader must also be willing to receive criticism, both constructive and destructive. Constructive criticism provides an opportunity for growth, while even unfair criticism can teach a leader patience, emotional intelligence, and resilience. Most importantly, people should feel safe expressing their opinions without fear of intimidation, humiliation, or retaliation. When followers are afraid to speak honestly, leadership begins to lose its purpose. An environment where people can voice their concerns respectfully is one where trust, growth, and genuine service can flourish.

Today's followers are tomorrow's leaders. The habits developed while following discipline, humility, responsibility, and integrity often determine the kind of leaders they become. The role of followers is often overlooked, yet leadership cannot exist without followership.

The leadership in any society is often a reflection of the quality of its followership. Great leaders are sustained by responsible followers, while poor leadership flourishes where followers abandon accountability. Followers shape the quality of leadership. Leaders often rise because followers choose, support, or tolerate them. Good followers hold leaders accountable. They ask questions respectfully, demand transparency, and ensure promises are kept. Followers should also learn to speak to leaders respectfully because, even as a follower complaining about bad leadership, you also have a major role to play.

One of the reasons why some leaders who are genuinely willing to serve lose accountability, transparency, and coordination is a lack of true followers. But that does not mean that as a leader, one should not be able to stand for and defend their people, or even try to address the concerns of those they are leading. Leadership is not just about having people under you. It is about being willing to listen to them, serve them, stand for them, and allow them to speak.

So as followers, we must also ask ourselves, are we truly helping to build better leaders, or are we simply waiting for our turn to become the kind of leaders we complain about today?

Some leaders effectively carry out their roles without being intimidated or silenced. They listen effectively and carry out the voices of the people. They speak up and check up on every one of their members. They create agendas and policies that help the people around them grow. They are very effective, efficient, and active. They rise to responsibility. They understand the voices of the people, and these voices are never held hostage. These leaders respond to criticism. They are always willing to listen, hear, and observe. They are willing to learn, make corrections, and do better. They intentionally serve the people.

As a follower, the question should be: What kind of leader do I wish to become?

As a leader, the question should be reversed and checked, what kind of leader am I?

Adeitan Faith Ayomikun