Be the First Follower

"Encapsulating" some of my personal reflections as articles for ease of reference.

This was first posted back in Sep 2017.

Was on a flight to New Orleans, and as usual, wasn’t able to sleep well. So I was catching up on movies that I wanted to watch, but did not have the time.

One of the movies is "The Post". At the end of the movie, my key take away is on leadership (besides freedom of press, governor vs government, etc).

It reminds me of this video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fW8amMCVAJQ

The 1st person who takes the lead is often seen as the leader. NY Times in this instance was the 1st to publish the Vietnam War study.

However, it is often crucial & the tipping point when the 2nd person joined the leader. And others now see a tangible movement, and join in, propelling the momentum & eventually achieving the outcome. In this case the Washington Post was the trigger for all the other press to publish the study as well, & winning the freedom of press against the authority.

Being the leader needs tons of courage & wisdom, no doubt about that. But the 2nd one to join in requires as much, as The Post shows us. Similar things are often at stake.

The NY Times enjoyed the limelight as the leader that first publishes the study. 

I have no qualms being the 2nd person, and I hope that when situations require me to lead, as it will be from time to time, I will have the 2nd person joining me.