Are you a leader or a follower?

12 replies
Bob Lefsetz is a prominent critic of the music and tech worlds. He breaks down the difference between leaders and followers. Many of the distinctions reflect the characteristics of leaders and followers we see in offline marketing:

http://lefsetz.com/wordpress/index.p...llowerleaders/
#follower #leader
  • Profile picture of the author C. Sierra Love
    Originally Posted by joe golfer View Post

    Bob Lefsetz is a prominent critic of the music and tech worlds. He breaks down the difference between leaders and followers. Many of the distinctions reflect the characteristics of leaders and followers we see in offline marketing:

    http://lefsetz.com/wordpress/index.p...llowerleaders/
    Frankly, I'm not impressed.

    In full disclosure, I closed the web page after reading to about the tenth line. Lefsetz definition of a Leader is, in my opinion, juvenile and his definition of a Follower negates and defames responsible behavior. I'd defer to the great Dan Kennedy in the quote below over this Lefsetz fellow anyday.

    "Be the Wizard, Beware the Wizard." Dan Kennedy
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    • Profile picture of the author Claude Whitacre
      Originally Posted by Rainee View Post

      Frankly, I'm not impressed.

      In full disclosure, I closed the web page after reading to about the tenth line. Lefsetz definition of a Leader is, in my opinion, juvenile and his definition of a Follower negates and defames responsible behavior. I'd defer to the great Dan Kennedy in the quote below over this Lefsetz fellow anyday.

      "Be the Wizard, Beware the Wizard." Dan Kennedy
      At a Kennedy event, I heard Dan Kennedy say that; "Be the wizard, beware the wizard".

      I looked at the lady next to me and quipped "...said the Wizard"..

      As far as the list, I've seen so many lists like that before. Can anyone say that they have all the qualities or either a leader, or a follower? I think that would be very unusual.

      In most lists like this, I have mostly leader qualities, I guess. But I'm not a leader. Not at all.
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      • Profile picture of the author digichik
        Originally Posted by Claude Whitacre View Post

        In most lists like this, I have mostly leader qualities, I guess. But I'm not a leader. Not at all.
        This is exactly what makes you a natural leader.
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  • Profile picture of the author socialentry
    I'm a pirate
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  • Profile picture of the author John Pawlett
    I love the quote by DeMarco "Be the driver not the hitchhiker"
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  • Profile picture of the author kenmichaels
    I forget where i heard / read this but it has always stuck with me.

    In order to be a great leader, you must first learn how to follow.
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    • Profile picture of the author Aaron Doud
      Originally Posted by kenmichaels View Post

      I forget where i heard / read this but it has always stuck with me.

      In order to be a great leader, you must first learn how to follow.
      I like that quote. Very true in my experience. Especially when taking over a team where you are the new blood. The fact you respect and want to learn from that team will help you lead that team.

      Also reminds me of the idea of the Hindmost from the Puppeteer Race.
      Nerd Confession: I have never read any of the Known Space books yet I knew that term lol
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    • Profile picture of the author Claude Whitacre
      Originally Posted by kenmichaels View Post

      I forget where i heard / read this but it has always stuck with me.

      In order to be a great leader, you must first learn how to follow.
      Ken; I've heard that to. To be honest, I don't know what it means, at least I haven't figured it out. What do you think?

      ANSWER ME!
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      • Profile picture of the author kenmichaels
        Originally Posted by Claude Whitacre View Post

        Ken; I've heard that to. To be honest, I don't know what it means, at least I haven't figured it out. What do you think?

        ANSWER ME!
        You can not be a Master of / at anything your first time out.
        Business, Games, lover ... anything.

        So the first thing you have to do is learn to listen and follow directions.

        Also, if you never learn how to follow yourself, then you don't
        know how to teach another follower, when your the leader.

        Such as being a boss. You have to identify, classify, and lead ...
        ... and they need to be able to identify with you.

        I probably could say another 10,000 words about my thoughts
        on that one tiny quote.

        But, I am too lazy for that.

        tag, your it.
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        • Profile picture of the author Claude Whitacre
          Originally Posted by kenmichaels View Post

          You can not be a Master of / at anything your first time out.
          Business, Games, lover ... anything.

          So the first thing you have to do is learn to listen and follow directions.

          Also, if you never learn how to follow yourself, then you don't
          know how to teach another follower, when your the leader.

          Such as being a boss. You have to identify, classify, and lead ...
          ... and they need to be able to identify with you.


          I probably could say another 10,000 words about my thoughts
          on that one tiny quote.

          But, I am too lazy for that.

          tag, your it.
          Great stuff (I really put an effort into that reply, didn't I?)

          And it makes perfect sense. I wonder if that's the intentional meaning?

          Giggety.
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  • Profile picture of the author NewParadigm
    Meh, much of that list very cliche. and negative connotations of followers is a bunch of arrogant shit.

    Name a leader who has no followers.

    You don't get followers by putting them down. You become a great leader when you provide enough VALUE to enough people so they decide to follow, and remain your followers. Whether they are fans, friends, employees, or customers. The world needs followers. Followers make the leader.
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