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# Let’s talk about good “Employeeship” for a moment
- URL: https://juliaculen.digicoach.at/lets-talk-about-good-employeeship-for-a-moment/
- Published: 2024-07-17T09:50:14.000Z
- Updated: 2026-11-02T13:32:09.000Z
- Author: Julia Culen
- Tags: General, Employeeship, Leadership

We’ve talked a lot—A LOT—about what good leadership is. There are tons of books, talks, and programs on leadership. We have analyzed, described, and practiced plenty of leadership styles: situational leadership, servant leadership, compassionate leadership, mindful leadership, conscious leadership, and so on. I’m not saying this has led to better leadership, though; however, we can’t deny that there has been significant effort and focus on the topic.

**So I wonder: when can we talk about “good employeeship”? Can we even discuss it? Are we allowed to talk about it? Is all the responsibility truly with the leader?**

No, it isn’t, and I feel it’s time to talk about the other side of the coin. Is it “followership”? No, we can’t call it that, so let’s stick with “employeeship” or “co-workership,” whatever the relation might be.

## So, what is a “good” employee? I’ll give it a try:

- Someone willing and able to deliver good work.
- Showing up not only at work but also for work and to work.
- Showing commitment and interest in the tasks at hand.
- Taking self-responsibility and making conscious choices.
- Helping and supporting others to excel at their work.
- Seeing themselves as contributors.
- Taking initiative.
- Not waiting for others to constantly motivate and acknowledge them, not making everything about themselves.
- Showing human decency like compassion, integrity, and support.
- Showing benevolence towards superiors and understanding that they are human too.

## On the other hand, what makes an employee a “bad employee”? What could be bad employeeship?

- Acting as a victim of others, the organization, or the superiors.
- Complaining all the time about everything and encouraging others to do the same.
- Acting like a diva that needs constant attention, creating drama for significance.
- Avoiding work or putting in the minimum possible effort.
- Letting others drag you along the way.
- Acting self-serving, not helping others.
- Feeling entitled to get more than they give.

I think you get the point I am trying to make here. Good leadership also needs people who are willing to play along.

I was employee in an international bank in my 20ies and beginning of 30ies, and while I have seen a lot of bad, really bad, or no leadership, I have also seen leaders trying their best and employees giving their least, using their time to complain rather than to excel.

**And I have been in Leadership positions for the last 20 years** and while I am far from perfect I can say I at least try to show people respect, trust, support and integrity while als challenging them and helping them develop the best version of themselves. But often enough I failed and there is a lot on my side to work on, nevertheless I can say that with some people I get along really easy and well and with others I had constant discussions, problems and conflicts. On hindsight I can say the least problems I had with people who are skilled and self-driven and open to learning and the most problems I had with people who rather spent the time discussing personal issues – like they didn’t feel seen or trusted enough – rather than do the good work so they can be seen and trusted.

So yes, I feel we have put too much emphasis on the role of Leadership and put no attention to what is needed from the other side, the co-creative part: meet me maybe not half-way but at least at two-thirds of the way. thank you.