Yogyakarta, May 21st 2025 — The Leadership and Policy Innovation Master and Doctoral Program at the Graduate School of Universitas Gadjah Mada held a public lecture themed “Leadership and Followership in the Digital Era: Paradigm Shifts and Roles.” The main speaker was Dr. Bachtiar Dwi Kurniawan, S.Fil.I., MPA., Chairman of the Cadre Development and Human Resources Council of PP Muhammadiyah and an alumnus of the Leadership and Policy Innovation Doctoral Program, with Asmarawati Handoyo, Ph.D., served as moderator.
In the midst of the overwhelming flow of information and the growing dominance of social media culture, how exactly are leadership and the relationship of leaders and followers changing? This question became the core topic in the latest meeting organized by The Leadership and Policy Innovation Master and Doctoral Program (MDKIK) at UGM Graduate School.
One of the key topics discussed was the impact of populism and social media on leadership in the digital age. Dr. Bachtiar explained how populism and social media have transformed the landscape of leadership and the dynamic of leaders and followers. He emphasized that although popularity can be a powerful tool in the digital era, leaders should not rely solely on gimmicks or image-building but focus on real solutions that deliver positive impact to society.
“Popularity is a tool, not the ultimate goal,” stressed the main speaker. The real focus should be on providing tangible benefits and concrete solutions for the community, rather than merely chasing ‘likes’ or ‘followers.’
Equally compelling was the discussion on the phenomenon of post-truth, which challenges the public’s discernment of information. Viral content often attracts more public attention than accurate facts. In this context, the importance of critical and quality followers who can filter information, actively participate, and provide constructive feedback was highlighted—compared to those who merely seek social media presence.
“This type of follower is far more valuable than those who only compete for followers or create meaningless sensation,” explained Dr. Bachtiar.
This public lecture opened new insights that leadership in the digital era is not just about who is most famous, but about who can bring positive change and build meaningful interactions with their followers.
Author : Vivie Silvania Intan Nirmala