Leadership Lesson From Dancing Guy

Interesting video, isn’t it? I especially like the recap…

If you are a version of the shirtless dancing guy, all alone, remember the importance of nurturing your first few followers as equals, making everything clearly about the movement, not you.

Wasn’t that Jesus? He taught and displayed to his first few followers what real life was all about.

In today’s day and age we tend to get so caught up in capturing huge numbers. In the process we convince ourselves that we need to become big influencers with captivating ministries that will draw the masses. We read books and attend conferences that outline proven methods and principles from those who are considered “leadership experts.” We then attempt implementing those techniques only to find ourselves more frustrated at the end.

Why is that? Perhaps it’s because we focus too much on the methods and not enough on the mission. Maybe it’s because we are trying to build programs instead of building people. I don’t think shirtless dancing guy was trying create or build anything. If he was, his method in doing so was certainly unorthodox. When I see shirtless dancing guy I’m reminded a little of what Isaiah says about Jesus. Doesn’t he inform us that Jesus had no beauty or majesty to attract people to him, and that nothing in his appearance would cause people to desire him?

When I see Jesus in scripture, I don’t see someone intentional about creating a movement. I simply see someone loving people, building people, and releasing people. The books we read in the New Testament were not written by Jesus, but rather by those who were impacted by his leadership. Isaiah describes Jesus as one who was despised and rejected by men, a man of sorrows, and familiar with suffering. Just think, he was willing to go through all of that so people like John, Peter, Luke, Timothy, Barnabas, Paul, and others could be a part of establishing the greatest movement of all time.

Place yourself in that grassy field for a moment. You’re trying to enjoy a nice little concert when, suddenly, shirtless dancing guy stirs up some commotion. If it’s me, I’m probably either whispering some jabs at him under my breath, or asking my friends if they think he’s crazy. Others might be thinking or discussing even worse things about him. This is where I love the narration… There is no movement without the first follower. Did you catch that? Followers begin movements, not leaders. So maybe, before we create great leaders, we first discover the true followers. These aren’t just the ones attending your meetings or your events, but these are the ones that are willing to get up and dance with you. These are the ones who are now leading out in prayer, coming up with crazy outreach ideas, and hosting Bible studies in their homes. Once they begin dancing, let them. It’s no longer just about your vision, it’s now about you helping fulfill theirs.

Finally, don’t think you have to be a big influencer. I encourage you to find a follower and then to work on influencing and leading that one. After all, there is no movement without the first follower.

We're told that we all need to be leaders, but that would be really ineffective. The best way to make a movement is to courageously follow.