During which phase of leadership development do leaders and followers first establish their relationship?

The stranger phase is the initial stage of the relationship between leaders and followers, where they are mostly unfamiliar with each other. During this phase, there is limited interaction, and individuals primarily engage in observation and assessment. Leaders and followers begin to understand each other's expectations, roles, and potential contributions. This foundational stage is crucial as it sets the groundwork for trust and communication that can develop in later phases.

As relationships evolve, the acquaintance phase follows, where familiarity grows, and more interactions occur. However, that development comes after the initial relationship has been established in the stranger phase. The mature partnership phase indicates a high level of trust and mutual understanding, which can't happen without first navigating the earlier stages, including the stranger phase. The network phase focuses on broader connections and relationships working towards common goals rather than the personal leader-follower dynamic being formed.