My opinion is the role of follower is a role of influence much like the role of leader. The follower will influence others in that they see and experience the follower's life moving in a certain direction. That direction may have been prescribed by the leader. But the follower chooses to follow that direction. This in and of itself may be a more powerful form of influence in some situations than being the leader. This is why testimonials can be so powerful. They speak of someone's willingness to follow someone else's idea. A leader may have written the book, but it's often all of the people who say it's a great book that gets you to read it.