First Follower

While an Evangelist needs courage, it is almost more courageous to be the First Follower, the one who openly shares the aspiration for re-imagining the possible. These First Follower steps up to help develop a cohort of Innovators.

These First Followers is the one who looks at the potential new from the context of the existing old. They must evaluate if the risk of moving to a new paradigm is worth the risks of retribution from those who hold on to the existing paradigm, that which is the dominate norm.

While the Evangelist believes, the First Follower is the first one who must decide. Decide to walk into the unknown with the Evangelist. But when others see this courage, they are empowered to also join.

Here is a short TED talk about the importance of the First Follower: