a lone figure - a first follower

So how does a leader get the workforce to buy into their new vision? One speaker pointed to the YouTube video Leadership lessons from dancing guy, which shows a man dancing wildly on his own at a pop festival. Eventually, another man joins in and they dance eccentrically together. After a while, a couple more revelers join in and after a few minutes, there is a rush of people joining the dance.

The message is that a lone figure needs a first follower to join them in order to trigger a social movement. This is equally true in setting a new direction for a company. “What you need is someone who starts joining the lone nut – that’s when you get the flywheel effect and the movement gains momentum,” said the speaker.


Eva Eisenschimmel
"Inspiring leadership and the need for a creative, empowered workforce" The Guardian. 10/8/2015