I speak with Michael Linville and Mark Rennaker about their new textbook, Essentials of Followership: Rethinking the Leadership Paradigm with Purpose, and about the Division of Leadership and Followership Studies at Indiana Wesleyan University. The textbook is an absolute game-changer and every leadership education program in the country needs it!

“Why are we even together as leaders and followers? It’s not for no reason. It’s purpose. Therefore purpose must be what defines us, refines us, and drives us.”

“Once our students begin to learn that a proper understanding of the follower in an organizational context is a role rather than a rank, then their perspectives begin to shift.”

“Students will say things like 'this is the course that taught me the most about leadership.'"

“Every leadership course needs to address followership. You cannot understand fully the nature of leadership without also considering followership. I think it starts there."

“I think well done followership study has a freeing component to it because of that breaking out of the psychic prison of rank.”

Michael W. Linville is professor in Indiana Wesleyan University’s PhD in Organizational Leadership program. He holds several certifications in areas such as leadership, emotional intelligence, and personality typology, including Ira Chaleff’s Followership Train the Trainer program. Combining 15 years of corporate experience with 25 years of international nonprofit experience (including four years directing a college in Kiev, Ukraine), Linville was awarded Dragomanov University’s Silver Medallion Award in 2009 for his service and contribution to education in Ukraine. He also leads an international nonprofit organization that he founded in 2001 and is the cofounder and senior adviser of a leadership think tank based in Ukraine. Linville regularly presents on leadership and followership topics at various national and international academic and professional conferences, including the International Leadership Association’s Annual Global Conference. He also consults with organizations and individuals both nationally and internationally.

Mark A. Rennaker is chair of the Division of Leadership and Followership Studies at Indiana Wesleyan University. He served 30 years in faith-based and nonprofit leadership roles at local, regional, and national levels. He has also served a variety of leadership roles during 15 years of higher education experience, and he is certified with Ira Chaleff’s Followership Train the Trainer program. Rennaker has multiple research interests, including servant-leadership, trust, followership, and human resource development. Rennaker regularly presents on leadership, followership, and higher education topics at national and international academic and professional conferences, including the International Leadership Association’s Annual Global Conference. He consults with organizations and speaks at various events. 

Connect with Dr. Michael Linville and Dr. Mark Rennaker
www.purposeshipmatters.com

Order your copy of Essentials of Followership
O

Support the show

*
Connect with your host Sharna Fabiano
https://www.sharnafabiano.com

Order the book: Lead & Follow
https://www.amazon.com/Lead-Follow-Dance-Inspired-Teamwork/dp/1646632796/

Support the Show!
https://www.buzzsprout.com/1735834/support