What is it about?
This research explores why people choose to follow certain leaders. Instead of focusing only on leaders, it looks at the needs of followers. The study shows that followers have a set of fundamental needs—such as feeling safe, connected to others, respected, guided, and treated fairly—that influence the type of leaders they prefer. For example, in times of threat, people may prefer strong and dominant leaders. We developed a new tool to measure these needs and tested it across different countries and contexts. The findings suggest that there is no single “best” leadership style. Instead, effective leadership depends on how well a leader meets the needs of their followers. This helps explain differences in leadership preferences in workplaces, politics, and everyday life.
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Why is it important?
Most leadership research focuses on leaders, not followers. We’re flipping that: the Fundamental Follower Needs Inventory is the first tool to systematically measure what followers actually need. This helps leaders tailor their style to their team, explains political and workplace choices, and gives researchers a way to study followership fairly across cultures and leadership domains. It’s a step toward making leadership work for the people being led.
Perspectives
For years, I’ve hesitated to give definitive advice on working efficiently and happily—only “eat well, sleep well” felt 100% reliable. Now I have a second answer: understanding and acting on diverse follower needs is the secret to better collaboration. Leaders can stick to a one-size-fits-all style, but it’s rarely the most efficient path. Tailoring your approach to your team members' unique needs (like safety, connection, or growth) drives higher engagement and productivity. For followers, clarifying your own needs and finding leaders who align with them makes working together far more seamless and rewarding. In short, honoring diverse follower needs is a practical, evidence-backed way to build thriving and more effective workplaces.
Xiaotian Sheng
Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam
Read the Original
This page is a summary of: The psychology of following: Conceptualizing and validating the Fundamental Follower Needs Inventory., Journal of Applied Psychology, February 2026, American Psychological Association (APA),
DOI: 10.1037/apl0001347.
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