By definition, you are not a leader if no one is following. The Colonel put it this way: “You can have a brilliant vision, kiddo, but if you can’t inspire others to action with that vision you’re not a leader, you’re just a dreamer.” You see, to be a leader, it’s not enough to have exceptional talent and vision, but you also need the ability to attract followers to that vision.
A couple of years ago, I saw an amazing video on YouTube. It took place at the Sasquatch Music Festival in George, WA with many clusters of people picnicking and enjoying the afternoon. One lone, shirtless man is dancing an incredibly unusual rhythm to the music that is being piped over the loudspeaker.
At first, it seems a comic and perhaps mock-able dance – until a second man gets up and joins him, trying to match him step for step. What happens next is amazing. The first dancer greets the second dancer, embracing him and showing him “his moves.” This allows the two to dance together in simultaneous choreography rather than just as two people dancing side by side. That first follower transforms the lone, seemingly crazy, dancer into a leader.
So, if the leader is the flint, it’s the first follower who creates the spark for the fire of the vision. Before you know it, a second person joins them, and momentum begins to build. Before long there are dozens of people all moving together in a spontaneous dance party.
How many “crackpot” ideas (landing on the moon, finding the Titanic, creating the world-wide-web) would never have been realized if the one with the vision could not effectively communicate what the vision looked like, inspiring others to action in following that vision? Without enthusiastic followers, you are simply “dreaming” (perhaps in dance). You need to be able to effectively communicate your vision – where we are going and how we’ll get there before you can be a leader.
Read Lauren’s Whitepaper on The Nine Essentials of Significant Leadership.
Pick up the Colonels of Wisdom Series Vol 1 and Vol 2 here.