The browser you are using is not supported by this website. All versions of Internet Explorer are no longer supported, either by us or Microsoft (read more here: https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/microsoft-365/windows/end-of-ie-support).

Please use a modern browser to fully experience our website, such as the newest versions of Edge, Chrome, Firefox or Safari etc.

Follower-Power: A follower-centric approach to the social construction of prophetic leadership

På svenska

Author

  • Anthony Fiscella

Summary, in English

This article addresses the follower-centric examination of the social construction of prophetic leadership roles. The central questions are: In what ways can key follower figures potentially exert independent agency and influence within the charismatic relationship?; What role might they play in the establishment and maintenance of the social construction of prophetic leadership roles? To these ends, the article assesses the existing research in the area, lifts out relevant elements (such as the Swedish historian of religion Bengt Sundkler's distinction between leader, nucleus, and mass); and finally develops two original concepts: "first followers" and "follower-power". The latter of these is described through seven functional roles, each with a corresponding power-type: "finders" (point-power), "devoters" (devotional power), "promoters" (storytelling power), "managers" (organizational power), "intermediaries" (intermediary power), "innovators" (creative power), and "supporters" (support-power). These concepts are then developed through the examination of existing sources (i.e. the Bible, historical material, etc.) and ultimately, the conclusion is drawn that, while the concepts seem to fit their purpose, too little research has been done in this area to make definitive remarks.

Publishing year

2007

Language

English

Pages

95-113

Publication/Series

Nordic Journal of Religion and Society

Volume

20

Issue

1

Document type

Journal article

Publisher

Tapir akademisk forlag, Tapir akademisk forlag

Topic

  • History of Religions

Keywords

  • social construction
  • religion
  • leadership
  • charisma
  • follower-centric
  • prophets

Status

Published

ISBN/ISSN/Other

  • ISSN: 0809-7291