Why Followers Are Less Open to Direction than Leaders

Why Followers Are Less Open to Direction than Leaders

People who identify as followers are less willing to take direction or criticism than leaders, according to research by PsychTests, a provider of psychological assessments to HR departments. Followers scored lower than leaders on comfort with admitting faults, ability to handle criticism, willingness to ask for help, and openness to learning and improvement. 

Because followers tend to have lower self-confidence, criticism may make them feel weak or incompetent, Kate Adams writes on HBR.org.