If You're Not a Leader

So... maybe you're not the leader of your team.

and bruh... that is literally FINE.

I think we vastly underappreciate the power and the importance of the first-follower.

Example 1: The lunatic

A man dances alone in a busy park like an absolute lunatic.

The first-follower joins in, a man who ran across the field to do so.

Then... something amazing happens.

The rest of the crowd joins in.

Without the first-follower, the one who took the risk still looks like a lunatic.

With him, he looks like someone who was willing to risk themselves so the group could thrive.

Example 2: War cry at the end of it

It's near the end of a very bad day (or practice). You and everyone else are exhausted.

The quiet in the room is deafening.

Your teammate suddenly cuts the silence in an apparently humorous attempt to rally the troops:

"I LOVE IT HERE!!"

After a split-second of crickets, the first-follower lets out a gutty, screamo yell:

"YEAH WE LOVE IT HERE!!!"

Then the rest of the team laughs and joins in.

Without the first-follower, that teammate that took the risk gets laughed at. The energy stays low, (and now it is also awkward af).

With the support of the first-follower, the war cry echoes, and everyone wins the day together.

Example 3: The unlikely savior

A lone girl stands up to a tyrant. Her voice rings out:

"That's not right!"

The tyrant laughs and insults the girl into silence.

The first-follower joins in, hoisting the girl onto their shoulder.

"She's right! We won't stand for this!"

Then the rest of the people join in.

Without the first-follower, she's just a silly girl.

With them, she's the face of a movement.

So, you're not a leader? Fine.

That role isn't for everyone. And that's okay.

Bottom line is, the standard is the standard.

Leader or not, we fight for the people standing shoulder to shoulder with us.

We show up.

We give our best.

We make the hard choices that will lead all of us to an easier life.

Aside from that...

If you do not seek to lead, it is your responsibility to seek a leader worth being the first-follower of.

You'll know it when you find one.

You'll also know it if you haven't.

This is a role that only you can fill.

And when you do, please, I beg of you, do not underestimate the power in your voice.

Because without you...

nobody joins the movement.

Go get a bucket.

And reach out anytime. I'm always in your corner.

BriAnna

P.S.

Nearly every great leader I know began their journey as the first-follower.

During that journey, one of two things will happen:

1) You will find incredible purpose and fulfillment in that role, and you will still be renowned. Not for being the king or the queen, but for being a maker of them.

2) Through observing it up close, you will build the strength, skills, and grit that it takes to lead. And then one day, you'll realize the heavy weight of that crown is something you are ready to bear after all, and you will take great pride in leading in a way that is worthy of being followed.