Lessons in "1st Followership"

During a recent client meeting, the conversation turned to a YouTube video Leadership Lessons from the Dancing Guy which showed in 3 minutes how to 'start a movement'.

The emphasis of the video was on, how as a leader, you need to be prepared to stand alone, you need to be easy to follow and that its all about the movement, not you. Another key learning was the importance of nurturing your first followers, and the importance of the role they play in 'legitimising' what you are trying to do as the leader starting a movement.

What we got talking about was the focus most businesses have to develop leaders, but the lack of focus on developing "1st Followers". We then considered how some of the mindsets and skillsets that FranklinCovey develops in effective, proactive individuals could play a part, specifically 4 'Human Endowments'

1. The first endowment we focus on is self awareness, so that the follower can be aware of what the leader is trying to do and their role in supporting it
2. Second is for them to use their imagination to consider how they could respond, and what it would take for them to 'legitimise' the movement
3. A key filter then is the sense of what 'should I do', and this connects with their (and the company's) values set as well as their sense (if developed) of the kind of contribution they would like to make
4. Finally, even if all other elements are in place, the "1st Follower" needs to summon up the independant will to actually stand up in support of this 'lone leader', because if they don't no momentum around the change will be established