Leadership Bingo: Baudrillard’s double refusal and a future for followership

Purpose

This paper investigates Jean Baudrillard’s “Double Refusal,” and probes what happens in the space between leadership and followership. The paper tracks the trajectory from leadership bingo to followership bingo as a strategy to mitigate the double refusal.

Design/methodology/approach

This is a theoretical paper, and presented in an essay format.

Findings

It is important to assess the consequences of the Baudrillian “Double Refusal” – the refusal to lead and the refusal to be led – and the consequences of this double refusal for the language and behaviour of leaders and followers.

Research limitations/implications

This is a reflexive essay. A provocations piece.

Practical implications

A consciousness of the social semiotics of leadership failure and the benefits of a follower-centric organizational culture.
Originality/value

I confirm that the application of Jean Baudrillard theory of the double refusal has benefits to leadership theory. This is a rare and promising intervention.