Why sometimes we should follow, not lead

In this three-minute video Derek Siver dissects one of the funniest videos on the Internet and convincingly makes the case that becoming a “first follower” is an underestimated form of leadership. He says, “The first follower is what transforms a lone nut into a leader.”

I don’t know about you, but this idea of the risk that first followers take really stuck with me. They are sticking their necks out along with the leader — and without their buy-in and commitment movements would go nowhere.

But Siver makes another point that is particularly relevant to fundraising. It’s that we must show the social proof behind our causes — the people who are making our movements what they are. That’s how others get convinced to join.

A lone leader is a nut. A lone leader with a following is noticed.