Your 2 Cents – Summer 2017
– Contributed by Rebecca Volk
In these times of rapid change and new ways of doing things, leadership is all-important. Leaders, whether they be formal or informal leaders, are often the lynchpin in determining whether change is embraced. There are many theories about leading change – one that is particularly thought-provoking is the approach dubbed the “first follower theory”.
As defined at WhatIs.com: “The first follower is considered to be as important to the development of a movement as the initiator because they make the leader’s viewpoint seem more credible. Derek Sivers introduced first follower theory at the 2010 TED (technology, entertainment, design) conference. According Sivers, the first follower is what transforms an individual with a unique idea into a leader. The first follower risks ridicule in the same way that the initiator does. Once a single person follows the initiative, however, it becomes less risky for others to join. Eventually, as enough people join, it becomes riskier to stay on the sidelines than to become part of the movement.”
Check out this 3 minute video of people dancing at an outdoor concert. Note how the crowd starts to follow, not after the first person gets up to dance (Silvers calls him the “lone nut”), but after the “first follower” has taken the risk and sent the signal to others that it is safe to follow.
“Derek Sivers proposes important lessons to take from the video:
- There is no movement without the first follower.
- We’re told we all need to be leaders, but that would be really ineffective.
- The best way to make a movement, if you really care, is to courageously follow and show others how to follow.
- When you find a lone nut doing something great, have the guts to be the first person to stand up and join in. “(WhatIs.com)
What do you think? Do we have leaders and first followers at Algonquin? Where do you fit in?
Please leave your comment here: livelaughlearn@algonquincollege.com