#1. People follow you because you believe in them.
The legendary basketball coach, John Wooden, believed in his players. Basketball was second. People were first. He treated people as individuals with value.
Belief is a source of inspiration. Someone believed you could rise, and you did. Maybe it was a parent, a teacher, a boss, or the guy up the street.
Questions:
- Who do you believe in? Belief ignites potential. A team with a leader who doesn’t believe in them underperforms.
- How do you trust people? Practice accountability, but don’t hover. Delegate responsibility, not simply tasks.
- How are you investing in people?
- How can you notice and recognize growth and development? Leaders who believe in people cheer loudly when they get ahead.
- How can you provide feedback? Tough feedback lands softly when you trust people and people trust you.
#2. People follow you because they believe in where you’re going.
You want to save the whales, colonize Mars, or you want people to be judged by the content of their character.
“Help me make a billion dollars,” isn’t compelling for others. Be a person that people hitch their wagon to. Find people who want to go where you want to go.
Questions:
- How otherish is your vision?
- Who cares about your vision?
- How can you shine the light on others, not yourself?
- How can you use language that touches people?
#3. People follow you because they believe in you.
We follow experts we trust.
There’s an old TV commercial that says, “When E.F. Hutton speaks, people listen.”
People trust you when they believe you can help them achieve the life they desire.
Questions:
- What is your expertise?
- What are you consistently achieving?
- What do you do that others want to learn?
What is the most compelling reason we follow leaders?
Still curious:
15 Ways to Know Your CEO is Worthy of Being Followed
3 Ways to be a Leader Worth Following Today
7 Questions that Change the Way People Think
Are You a Leader Worth Following?
