Ira Chaleff - The Power of Political Followers to Make Good Leaders and Brake Bad Ones

Practical Wisdom for Leaders with Scott J. Allen, Ph.D.

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Ira Chaleff is an author, speaker, and executive coach in the greater Washington, DC, area. His extensive experience with the US federal government includes directing and chairing the nonpartisan Congressional Management Foundation, where he is now Chair Emeritus.

Ira co-authored the original handbook for newly elected Members of Congress, now in its fifteenth edition, and has facilitated over a hundred retreats for congressional offices. He has led and participated in Democracy strengthening programs in Asia and West Africa and consulted for Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty in Eastern Europe.

He has been an adjunct faculty member at the Federal Executive Institute and a visiting leadership scholar at Churchill College, Cambridge University in England. Ira served two terms on the Board of Directors of the International Leadership Association and is the founder of its Followership Community.

His previous award-winning books include The Courageous Follower: Standing Up To and For Our Leaders and Intelligent Disobedience: Doing Right When What You’re Told To Do Is Wrong which has been published in translation in Beijing and Moscow. Ira speaks on courageous followership and intelligent disobedience at a wide variety of institutions, including the US Department of State, the US Naval Academy, the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst, the European Commission of the EU, and many others.

A Quote From Ira Chaleff

• "If you were a supporter of Kamala Harris, and are feeling frightened by the election results. That is how Trump supporters would be feeling if Harris had won. Each side feared tyranny if the other side won, and neither can imagine how the other side could feel that. The work now is to reduce the chasm between these lived world views and for both sides to be vigilant and protect the rights we cherish.”

Resources Mentioned in This Episode

• Book: To Stop a Tyrant by Chaleff
• Book: Intelligent Disobedience by Chaleff
• Book: The Courageous Follower by Chaleff

About The International Leadership Association (ILA)

• The ILA was created in 1999 to bring together professionals interested in studying, practicing, and teaching leadership. Plan for Prague - October 15-18, 2025!

My Approach to Hosting

• The views of my guests do not constitute "truth." Nor do they reflect my personal views in some instances. However, they are views to consider, and I hope they help you clarify your perspective. Nothing can replace your reflection, research, and exploration of the topic.

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Chapters

1. Insights on Political Leading and Following (00:00:00)

2. Understanding Dictators and Tyrants (00:21:48)

3. Courageous Followership in Political Settings (00:28:09)