Check out the video below.  You may well have seen it but do watch it again and listen to the audio from Derek Sivers as there is a great description of what this crazy shirtless dancing guy can teach us about leadership and in particular how important the first follower is to successful leadership.

A few lessons for the leader:

• Embrace the first follower as an equal
• It takes bravery to be the first follower
• A movement needs a crowd.  A crowd starts when one person follows the original leader  
• The first follower risks ridicule and turns the leader from being a lone nut to a leader!  If the leader is the flint.  The first follower is the spark that makes the fire.  
• The movement must be public.  Make sure the followers are seen. Followers emulate followers not the leader. 

If you are the shirtless guy (the leader) make sure you get the first follower and the second (3 is a crowd so then you are off and running). To help achieve this nurture them and ensure they feel your equal. Be public. Remember it is the first follower who turned the nut into a leader. 

If you are not the leader be courageous and follow.  Your role is crucial.

What has this got to do with content marketing? As my colleague Freddy wrote in this post - it is not just about your senior thought leaders creating posts that is important but all of you as a team. Ensure everyone has a voice. Nurture those who follow you and you will create a movement!  

As Ned Stark (Game of Thrones) reportedly said - "When the snows fall and the white winds blow, the lone wolf dies but the pack survives". Build your pack!