How to Start a Movement

In under 3 minutes, Derek Sivers (@sivers) dissects lessons from a candid video and explains how leaders (and followers) start movements:

  • A leader needs the guts to stand out and be ridiculed.
  • The first follower shows everyone else how to follow.
  • The leader embraces the first follower as an equal (so now it’s not about the leader (singular) any more, it’s about “them.”
  • The first follower is an underestimated form of leadership.
  • The first follower is what transforms a lone nut into a leader.
  • When the second follower joins, it’s no long 2 but 3, and 3 is “news;” a movement must be public.
  • New followers emulate the followers, not the leader.
  • As more people join, momentum begins, until a tipping point occurs and a movement starts.
  • As more people join in, it becomes less risky for others to join in (they won’t stand out, they won’t be ridiculed, but they’ll be part of the in-crowd if they hurry).

This is a great video to show at your next staff meeting!