A Lone Nut

"The first follower is what transforms a lone nut into a leader."

This sentence from the TED talk by Derek Sivers (http://www.ted.com/talks/lang/eng/derek_sivers_how_to_start_a_movement.html) really stuck out to me; partially because it's funny, and in part because it made a lot of sense to me. When starting a movement or getting an idea out there, followers are a must. Nothing gets off the ground by itself. As individuals we are powerful, but as a group our power is multiplied. That first follower, or first few, are crucial to a movement.

Something that stood out to me even more is the following concept:

"A movement must be public...it is important to show not just the leader, but the followers because new followers emulate the followers, not the leader."

This reminded me of my position on the council. As the Executive Director of Council Relations, it is my job to make our "movements" public. This might be the riskiest act of leadership there is; it is fine to form plans and talk about ideas within the comforts of a council meeting. It is quite another to advertise that idea to potential followers. This is where taking the right kinds of risk are crucial to a movement. These risks may relate to bringing followers in, as I've said, or finances, or other resources, or consuming time and energy; whatever they are, they must be made, and without procrastination.

"Remember the importance of nurturing the first few followers as equals."

This, along with the previous quote, is a good reminder that this is not about me. It is not even about us, as a council; rather it is about them, the people we are aiming to serve. We are not above them because we are coming up with these great ideas to help them; we are among them, simply an organized group doing our best to benefit the lives of other students.

"Have the courage to follow."

This final quote reminds me of a concept my father has introduced in my life since I was a young child. Yes, we are all leaders; in our own way, and in our own lives, we lead in different aspects. Sometimes we are the guy dancing without a shirt. Sometimes we are the first follower, and other times, we come later, joining in and thinking "Well, better late than never." When it comes to my life and the type of leader I want to be, my father has taught me that the leader I should follow first is Christ, and He is also the leader I ought to emulate.