Final answer:
The statement not aligned with basic tenets of active followership theory is 'Followers and leaders are people with inherent characteristics.' Active followership theory stresses the activity of followers, shared goals, and situational dynamics shaping the leader-follower relationship, over any fixed traits.
Step-by-step explanation:
The option that is not a basic tenet of active followership theory is c. Followers and leaders are people with inherent characteristics. Active followership theory emphasizes the dynamic relationship between leaders and followers, highlighting the importance of context, activity, and shared purpose within this relationship.
Active followership theory posits that followers should be active participants rather than passive subordinates, collaborating with leaders towards a common purpose. Additionally, it suggests that the leader-follower dynamic must be studied in the context of their interactions, as different individuals will respond differently to various leadership styles. Factors such as extroversion, need for growth, and desire for leadership all influence how a follower will interact with their leader, tailoring the experience to individual needs rather than assuming fixed inherent traits dictate this dynamic.
This theory also highlights the mutability of leadership styles, such as democratic, laissez-faire, and authoritarian leadership, and how they can accommodate or challenge different types of followers. However, all these points underline that followership is a dynamic role shaped by circumstance and interaction, not just static characteristics.