Practical Wisdom for Leaders with Scott J. Allen, Ph.D.

Ira Chaleff - The Power of Political Followers to Make Good Leaders and Brake Bad Ones

Jan 22, 2025

Ira Chaleff, an esteemed author and executive coach, dives into the dynamics of political followership and leadership. He discusses how followers can influence leaders' effectiveness and the importance of courageous followership. Chaleff examines motivations behind support for destructive leaders, drawing insights from historical events like the Holocaust. He also critiques political polarization and emphasizes the need for diverse viewpoints in enacting change. The conversation highlights the crucial role followers play in promoting ethical accountability and curbing tyranny.

43:26

Episode guests

Ira Chaleff

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Episode notes

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Quick takeaways

Courageous followership is crucial as it empowers individuals to challenge authority and prevent the escalation of harmful leadership behaviors.

Engaging with diverse political viewpoints is essential for informed decision-making and enhancing empathy in a polarized political landscape.

Deep dives

The Role of Courageous Followership

Courageous followership is essential in political leadership contexts, especially as leaders possess significant authority. Understanding the dynamics of power and accountability allows followers to influence leaders positively. Ira Chalef emphasizes that followers need to recognize their role in challenging authority when leaders begin to show signs of overreach or tyranny. This proactive stance can disrupt harmful trajectories before they escalate into more significant abuses of power.

Intro

3min

Exploring the Dynamics of Political Followership and Leadership

5min

Navigating Political Polarization

13min

Understanding Power Dynamics

13min

The Dynamics of Bureaucracy and Ethical Accountability in Leadership

3min

Navigating Leadership in Political Contexts

6min

Send us a text

Ira Chaleff is an author, speaker, and executive coach in the greater Washington, DC, area. His extensive experience with the US federal government includes directing and chairing the nonpartisan Congressional Management Foundation, where he is now Chair Emeritus.

Ira co-authored the original handbook for newly elected Members of Congress, now in its fifteenth edition, and has facilitated over a hundred retreats for congressional offices. He has led and participated in Democracy strengthening programs in Asia and West Africa and consulted for Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty in Eastern Europe.

He has been an adjunct faculty member at the Federal Executive Institute and a visiting leadership scholar at Churchill College, Cambridge University in England. Ira served two terms on the Board of Directors of the International Leadership Association and is the founder of its Followership Community.

His previous award-winning books include The Courageous Follower: Standing Up To and For Our Leaders and Intelligent Disobedience: Doing Right When What You’re Told To Do Is Wrong which has been published in translation in Beijing and Moscow. Ira speaks on courageous followership and intelligent disobedience at a wide variety of institutions, including the US Department of State, the US Naval Academy, the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst, the European Commission of the EU, and many others.

A Quote From Ira Chaleff

"If you were a supporter of Kamala Harris, and are feeling frightened by the election results. That is how Trump supporters would be feeling if Harris had won. Each side feared tyranny if the other side won, and neither can imagine how the other side could feel that. The work now is to reduce the chasm between these lived world views and for both sides to be vigilant and protect the rights we cherish.”

Resources Mentioned in This Episode

Book: To Stop a Tyrant by Chaleff
Book: Intelligent Disobedience by Chaleff
Book: The Courageous Follower by Chaleff

About The International Leadership Association (ILA)

The ILA was created in 1999 to bring together professionals interested in studying, practicing, and teaching leadership. Plan for Prague - October 15-18, 2025!

My Approach to Hosting

The views of my guests do not constitute "truth." Nor do they reflect my personal views in some instances. However, they are views to consider, and I hope they help you clarify your perspective. Nothing can replace your reflection, research, and exploration of the topic.

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