Robert Kelley’s groundbreaking research demonstrated that followers produce 80% of the outcomes in organizations, underscoring their critical, yet often overlooked, role. This presentation expands Kelley’s work into a broader societal context, exploring how followers—not just leaders—serve as the primary drivers of positive societal change. It will examine the contributions of followers to social movements that have advanced justice, equality, democracy, and peacebuilding, emphasizing their collective power in shaping a better world. Drawing on recent research, as well as insights from Ira Chaleff’s How to Break a Tyrant, this session will highlight how courageous, engaged, and proactive followership is vital in addressing systemic challenges and building sustainable change.
