Creative Followership: In the Shadow of Greatness

by Jimmy Collins, Michael Cooley

A master story-teller, Jimmy Collins is well known for his common-sense style of communication. In "Creative In the Shadow of Greatness," Collins uses personal illustrations and stories to tell how he discovered and used his "Creative Followership Principles" for a successful and satisfying thirty-two-year career of service. Collins hopes to offer an inspiring message for men and women entering or redirecting their careers. He says, "My mission is to use my life experience to motivate others to venture out on a journey of discovery and adventure." Starting at the age of twelve, he delivered groceries on a bicycle for a neighborhood store. By the time he retired, he was the chief operating officer of a one-billion-dollar restaurant chain. A real success story! "Creative Followership" promises readers a better route to success and satisfaction than the over-emphasized pursuit of leadership roles. Collins begins "Creative Followership" with his unrealized search for a formula to become a leader. He reminds readers why leadership cannot be taught. He points out that only those who have followers are leaders, and that followers choose to follow a leader because of a unifying purpose that they can share. For example, Collins describes his absolute loyalty to Truett Cathy, founder of Chick-fil-A, which he claims resulted in Truett's unwavering support of him as Truett's "Chief Follower." He also explains how he built his career using these Creative Followership Principles, which are easily transferable and usable for any individual in any organization. Jimmy's own journey to becoming a business executive and receiving the recognition and reward that followed is living proof of the effectiveness of these principles.

Genres: Leadership, Business, Nonfiction

192 pages, Hardcover

First published August 1, 2013

About the author

Canon James Daniel 'Jimmy' Collins, a priest of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Liverpool, was ordained to the priesthood on 26 July 1942. He is the author of 'Reflections' (1999, 2007), 'Soft Blows the Wind,' (2003), 'Shadows' (2005), 'She Smiled at Me' (2007), and 'How Lovely Upon the Mountains' (2009).

Reviews

[Wes Martin · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really like this book! The author doesn't inspire any "Ah-ha!" moments, but he does provide a simple, straight-forward and easily applicable guide to setting yourself up for career success and longevity. I think it is an important read for those in my (Millennial) generation, as it really hammers home the importance of serving someone else's vision, above your own.

[Garland Vance · Rating 2 out of 5]

Jimmy Collins is a legend in Chick-fil-A circles and one of the most respected men in the organization. He is certainly a person from whom I want to learn.

However, his first book, Creative Followership, did not live up to my expectations. After the first couple of chapters, the book became a disconnected conglomeration of leadership principles--most of which can be found in plenty of other books. I think that the book would have been far better if he would have simply told the story of his life leading up to and at Chick-fil-A and let the leadership principles come out of his life. While the book had an autobiographical element to it, the biographical sections were driven by the principles, rather than vice versa.

[Kevin Coriolan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Creative Followership was assigned reading for me in a graduate school course in leadership development. I really enjoyed the format and content of this book. It convinced me that "followership" should be a common word just as "leadership" is. Jimmy Collins has great insight in management, reputation, influence, and success from his time in the shadow of Truett Cathy of Chick-fil-A fame. I recommend this book to you if you want to make a difference in your job and/or organization. It's an easy-read which is a plus.

[Lucia Tapia · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a game changer. Especially for those of us that are more leaders. This really speaks into the purpose and impact a follower brings to the table. I'm always the person that wants to take point. This book help me understand to slow down and explain to me how to choose who I'm following. If you are Chick-fil-A fan. You'll love the history he speaks into about Truett Cathy.

[Natalie Palmquist · Rating 3 out of 5]

The punch line of the book is at the very end so you should definitely read it all the way through! I loved hearing the wise fatherly advise of a man who truly has found success through humility. It's an easy read and effective method for getting the most out of your life and career.

[Stephen · Rating 5 out of 5]

READ OCT

Unexpected read that is a must read for any emerging leader.

[Raelin Randall · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thought this book had some good nuggets.

[Sarah Baab · Rating 4 out of 5]

Inspiring and challenging!!

[Melanie Chesser · Rating 4 out of 5]

“I am a follower of the greatest of all leaders. The Leader of leaders, the Boss of Bosses, the King of Kings…. Jesus. My benefits from this followership will go beyond this lifetime…”

[Jeremy · Rating 2 out of 5]

Collins is a man of high integrity and professional success worthy of following and emulating. I sense the book probably doesn't quite do justice to his wisdom and experience. In the first few chapters Collins expounds on his philosophy of followership which is intriguing and certainly contains transferrable principles but is in many ways an unpacking of the unique journey that is his life. For example, his challenge to the reader to "choose [his or her] boss" is an unrealistic suggestion for at least 90% of the American workforce and I would imagine a much higher percentage of the global workforce.

The remainder of the book is a somewhat sporadic sampling of various generic leadership principles. They are certainly sound principles, but they are mostly expounded by personal stories rather than practical tips for application.

[Allen Jr. · Rating 3 out of 5]

An approachable work on the topic of followership, free from in-depth corporate research or belabored case-studies and simply based on Collins' own life experience.

While many of his principles are common to other books on this subject, I especially appreciated his encouragement to choose our boss, to decide whom we will work with, and to do so with great intentionality.

This book is a quick read and would make for a nice first exposure to anyone interested in the topic of followership. Recommended.

[Kathleen · Rating 2 out of 5]

Had an interesting take on leadership. Book is based on christian perspective and principles. I did enjoy reading this book but some portions I would categorize as unrealistic. Significant portions are applicable and I would recommend it to anyone who is entering the workplace as well as those looking for leadership skills in others. Book weighs heavily on the authors life experience and some portions are applicable in today's corporate workplace structure.

[Todd Mckeever · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book. It was a small read and very thin book. In this thin book is part led 35 principles that are lid out and described in an enjoyable read.

Some of them were reminders and some others were challenges and gut checks into how am I doing with this certain principle?

Thanks for putting together such a great book.

[Michael · Rating 3 out of 5]

Enjoyed reading Jimmy Collins's perspective. I like how he puts a twist on how to be successful - by serving the person you work for and making him/her succeed. Especially powerful in light of how impactful his time at Chick-fil-A was.

[Robin Michael · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great words from a wise man!

[Jamie · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fantastic read for anyone in business!

[Kelsey Frazier · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyed this!