Learning how to be a follower is the first step in becoming a great leader. At least, this is what the great Greek Philosopher Aristotle once said. By following, he would argue, the leader to be would better understand the needs and wants of the group.

We all respond to somebody, unless a person is a member of the board of trustees! We are to embrace hierarchy and practice being humble while learning organizational culture.

When I was at Harvard for the first time, we spoke about biological hierarchies and the need for employees to embrace top down systems, while understanding that authority itself wasn’t the only instrument of influence. We were told that power isn’t a function of titles but one’s ability to build consensus among the various members of the hierarchy while respecting the order on the system.

Therefore, one of the biggest mistakes that an employee on his way to becoming a leader can make is to ignore his hierarchical system. When we were kids, we responded to our parents. As adults, we respond to a supervisor. A developing leader who chooses to violate this principle won’t be a leader for long.

Respect hierarchy, learn from those above you, and follow their lead while advancing the mission of the organization. With time, I bet you are going to land a leadership position. Have a good attitude and respect the chain of command.