Allen Hamlin writes on followership with an elevating language that imbues this form of relationship with service, grace, and individuality. A very welcome addition to the growing literature on followership. --Ira Chaleff, author of The Courageous Follower
Embracing Followership may be among the top 10 most fresh, provocatively insightful expressions of what kind of thinking can 'set the readers free' from mindless cultural expectations on us that we've unconsciously imbibed. If you are one of the multitudes who can't escape thinking you should be more of a leader, this book is for you. It marvelously clarifies the reality of how we are all both leaders and followers and are 'blessed' when we find ourselves 'at home' with that reality. I plan to distribute dozens of copies! --Greg Livingstone, founder, Frontiers
Embracing Followership challenged and changed me--one of the rare books that can challenge your worldview and make you glad you read it. Allen manages to exalt followers without disparaging leaders, proving the unique value of each and providing practical steps to move us toward the mutually beneficial place of respect and value for the contributions of both. --T. J. MacLeslie, minister, missionary, and author of Designed for Relationship
I love Allen's heart and the book God has grown out of who he is. He is right. We live in a 'leader-driven culture' where there is little focus on the spiritual integrity and dignity of 'followership.' Jesus called us to 'follow Him,' and the church is the strongest when together we follow Him and the design He has for us as His people. We are called to excel in followership. Well done, Allen, and thank you. --Dr. Hal Habecker, founder, Finishing Well Ministries
The genius of Allen's approach and treatment of this subject of followership is that each of us is a follower in some way in almost every aspect of our lives. This is a thoughtful exploration and consideration of what it means to excel as a follower, which is essential for all of us to enhance our friendships, our workplaces, our communities, and our faith. Embracing Followership should be required reading for those working in a group setting, since developing our followership abilities has a direct effect on improving our teams, our leaders, and our organizations. --Duane E. Okamoto, senior attorney, Microsoft Corporation
All too often we forget that strong leadership implies that people are following. This is an excellent treatment of a topic that is mostly ignored. Just about anybody can benefit from reading this book. --Dr. Ted Esler, president, Missio Nexus
In Embracing Followership, Hamlin has punctuated the important truth of followership--that followership is a matter of function not value. In other words, a follower's value is found in his living out his relational followership. Hamlin gives tremendously practical ways to live this out in the context of a healthy leader/follower team. --Dr. Ed Scheuerman, coordinator, Intercultural Studies Program, Lancaster Bible College
Embracing Followership is a compelling read. It is compelling because it exposes our preconceptions and assumptions on leadership and followership. It does not devalue leadership but seeks to elevate followership in a healthy way. It establishes followership as a ministry call in itself, rather necessarily being a stepping stone to 'greater things.'
The book also questions how we assign value to the 90% of the people in our organizations who may not fit the mold we define as 'leader.' Some of the most influential people are not those who have the title of leader, but who have a healthy notion of stewarding what God has made them. The book challenges us to 'change the price tags' in what we value in our selection, prioritization and equipping processes, and I think this is good for the Body of Christ.
The thing I love most is how Allen challenges followers to see themselves as contributing to the success of their leaders--allowing encouragement and expertise to move 'up' the chain of command to help leaders, lead better. This is a proactive way of looking at followership. It is then not a race to get ahead, but how we can all spur each other to run a better race. --Mark Syn, mobilization base director, Pioneers in Asia
Hamlin writes this book for those who know they aren't a leader but don't want to 'settle' as a follower. He provides a new paradigm for understanding and acknowledging the value of followership. This book provides renewed purpose and encouragement for the role of followers in teams and organizations. --Dr. Susan Murray, co-area leader, Pioneers Japan
