What we mean by 'we follow'

When we say "we follow so and so", what we mean by that?

Are we meant to follow their words or their actions?

Do we have to listen to their words, not knowing if they would help us or not?

Or do we replicate their actions, in anticipation that they will work effectively?

When we call someone our role-model,  we might get confused by the incongruity of what they say and how they act.

Or we get impressed by their consistency of what they say and how they act.

We receive tons of advice from all over, when we 'follow' someone, we actually follow their example.