Thoughts On the Manifesto: #4

Leaders And Followers Vs. Revolutionaries

by Michael Ivan Skye

In the world of yesterday, we had leaders and followers.  Some strived to become successful by becoming better leaders.  Some strived to become successful by being better followers.

Largely, the leaders caused the change.  The followers adapted to it--or tried to.

In today’s rapidly changing world, the true leaders (usually not CEOs of old corporations or long-time politicians) are revolutionaries.  They are accelerating the rate of change.  Technology, new ideas… many dynamics are facilitating the advancement of change.

The problem of the leaders n yesterday's world was how to get the world of followers to buy into the new ideas.  Customers, investors, employees… how to get them on board, how to get them to change?

The problem of the followers, was how to adapt fast enough to the new changes, how to survive in a world of change, how to find some kind of security in a rapidly changing world.

The leaders were blamed for the pains of the followers – why are they making me change?  The followers were blamed for the lack of vision and follow-through – why won’t they just change?

No longer can we afford to keep operating from this model.  Training people to function in this divided hierarchical role, where there are the changers and the changees.  The old organizations (certain schools, companies, religious institutions, governments, etc.) that lead, reward, punish and control from the top produce followers – people who learn to survive in a stable environment where someone else is responsible for the existence of the organization. 

The future is here.  The world does not need people who can better lead the followers, and followers who can better follow the leader.  The world needs revolutionaries.

People who choose to “be the one.”  People who lead from a stand.  With vision and honor.

Which world do you live in?  The world of yesterday?  Or the world of today?  Are you ready for the future?  Because it is here, now!  You can hope to survive, you can try hard to become successful, promoted or rewarded in the institutions of yesterday... Or you can become a revolutionary!

The world does NOT need any more "good citizens," "good employees," or "good parents."  The world needs revolutionaries!  Revolutionaries in the work place, in the family, in the community!

Are you ready to be the one for your company, your family, your community?  For yourself?

Take a stand.  Start here.