I don’t think of myself as much of a leader, but actually since I place my ideas and writing “out there,” I don’t have much of a choice in the matter. Most likely, I will, somehow, lead someone. Is this my goal? Nope. I enjoy being a galvanizer, instead. Yep, A good natured provocateur. So, really a person with some unique information, ideas, and know how that fosters and encourages good leaders and good followers (a.k.a. cooperators). As you will see, a good leader is just a looney loner, until a few key people help him or her to build momentum. As a certain kind of trust is built, it is these linchpin people who “make it happen”. I think of it as sort of the knife and needed friction on the flint that produces heat and spark.
If you’ve been faithfully reading my blog, I’d like to thank you very much. I really appreciate you, and I ask that you can help me be more than a “lone looney,” or lone loser. This funny video below will unpack that.
In some respect, we all need followers, even as much as we need to be followers. It helps to link up with people who like you and what you do. People will will invest in your growth. They transmit your message or product for you. It’s just not enough to have an idea, even a great idea. A faithful network is more important because it is the fuel to share something. I found this video on Guy Kawasaki site alltop.com. It’s from the TED conference. Derek Sivers, of CD Baby fame, delivers a great and useful message.
Questions to ask yourself:
Who am I helping by following and building a bridge of trust to other followers?
Who can I partner with who understands the importance of both leading and following?
Who needs to hear my message?
Who’s message do I enjoy hearing?
So, let’s help each other. Let’s build momentum. Who do you follow, and what kind of followers to you need? Let us know.
Thank you.
Love, love, LOVE this! Thanks for sharing it.
I follow a lot more than I lead. Actually I feel like a looney loner most of the time, but it’s probably because I’m following other looney loners from a distance. *sigh* As far as leading goes, I think I’m good at the “not making it about me” part, but not so good about finding followers who aren’t making it about *them*. Which I think actually ties in with your next post about reading Scripture.
I follow those who build God’s kingdom rather than their own, who make disciples of Christ rather than of themselves, who value and build up the body rather than just their own limb, and who seek to know God’s Word rather than man’s warm-fuzzy version of it (particularly by those who get warm fuzzies from just the “right” amount of spiritual self-flagellation).
Guess I need to find follower-equals who want to do the same.