The Subjective Theory of Value and Following

Abstract

The basic premise of the subjective theory of value for followership has already been stated: F will not act upon a R cue from L unless F sees R to be his own subjective preferred choice over perceived alternatives for time t. The corollary of this is that leadership is a form of exchange . This is because follower F will only comply with Leader L’s R cue instigation if he sees it as the preferable alternative. He exchanges it for the alternative of not complying. On the other hand, to L the R cue is a means to engage F. L chooses this over alternatives, such as attempting to engage F in another action. Moreover, from a perspective of action over time , F’s engagement in R has implications for further compliance in the future. This is not the least in an open society where L faces competition with the instigations of others. Hence, the sacrifice of future alternatives may be perceived as well.