Project Leader vs. Raving Nutcase [TED Thursday]
(Every Thursday, I post a TED Talk that I find particularly interesting or applicable to project success. Click the TED Thursday category to view the series.)
This is the second in a series of three TED Tuesdays in which I'll feature Derek Sivers. (Here are Part 1 and Part 3.)
Managing a project is as much about hearts and minds as it is about schedules and budgets -- perhaps even more so. From this perpsective, projects are just like social movements: they both require leadership, and good leadership requires effective leaders.
In this 3-minute presentation, Derek analyzes an unintentional and wildly successful leader. He goes on to draw insights that helped me better understand this "social" side of leadership. Here are a few pearls:
- The First Follower is what transforms a lone nut into a leader.
- Being the first follower is an underestimated form of leadership. (<-- wow!!)
- New followers will emulate the followers, NOT the leader.
- The more followers there are, the less risk other potential followers perceive; in other words, having followers makes it easier to get more followers.
These leadership observations apply directly to the strategic talent management aspect of any project management effort.
Click to view the talk right now: Derek Sivers and Leading a Movement
(note: image design from stylenerds)
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