Comments on: Influential Following

By: lorraine

lorraine — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 16:36:27 +0000

thank you, chris, for this excellent article! i have often suffered from “follower guilt” in the sea of leader wannabees, and it is inspiring to know that one CAN follow and be productive and influential at the same time. over the years i have had glimpses of this possibility, but knowing someone else sees the potential of influential following is refreshing and inspiring.

By: Vinodh

Vinodh — Tue, 26 May 2009 03:12:54 +0000

Great post Chris!! Thanks!

I always ask myself, “Am I comfortable doing what I do??”. If yes, I try to do something different.. something better.. True, that only when you are out of your comfort zone, you really learn..

By: Henry Crescini

Henry Crescini — Sun, 10 May 2009 18:21:17 +0000

What a great and encouraging post! I think it is a good lesson in being humble. It happens to me often in many group situations that I’m feeling I’m too good for the others but then, fortunately, I’m proven wrong. It’s always good to get inspiration from others’ virtues.

By: fgoins

fgoins — Thu, 07 May 2009 21:46:40 +0000

I love the story’s ironic and funny twist! It’s an interesting and unfortunate commentary on our society that the role of follower has such a denigrating connotation attached to it. It takes great courage to be a true leader, and true humility to be a great follower. Everyone has influence no matter what their station in life. Wisdom is knowing when (and whom) to follow and when (and where) to lead.

Thanks for making us think, and keeping it real!

By: Aximilation

Aximilation — Fri, 17 Apr 2009 20:40:55 +0000

Hey, that’s awesome, I have thought about the same thing as your second to last paragraph, “you can have influence but not a title” for myself as well. Who cares about a title, right? I would rather be following a leader who has a clear vision, yet still be able to influence them/my peers than to be the top dog and not have enough influence. Now both, that’s a cool concept as well.

By: Trackback from Follow the Leader

Trackback from Follow the Leader — Wed, 25 Mar 2009 10:18:33 +0000

[...] I’m so glad Chris posted about being an influential follower. I’ve had a post percolating for a couple weeks about why I hate bush bashing, and it seems like a good time to share it.Two weeks ago on an over-night hike near Kiandra, we were picking our way down a really steep slope. [...]

By: Trackback from Eric Brown

Trackback from Eric Brown — Sun, 22 Mar 2009 14:03:00 +0000

[...] Influential Following by Chris Guillebeau of The Art of Nonconformity [...]

By: moom

moom — Fri, 20 Mar 2009 00:09:09 +0000

As Garrisson Keillor (sp?) said: “All the children are above average”

By: Tim Bursch

Tim Bursch — Thu, 19 Mar 2009 22:49:44 +0000

Chris, Thanks for the post. We are deluged with leadership. In reality not everyone can always be a leader. Sometimes you just have to follow well. Why no books on followership?

By: kazari

kazari — Wed, 18 Mar 2009 06:38:46 +0000

I’ve been thinking about ‘following’ for the last two weeks, since a hike in the old Kiandra goldfields. There’s a lot to be said for not being first, sometimes!
I’ve got a post to publish about this, but I’ll add your link, I think.