Forget "follower envy” and embrace your tiny band

Flip the script on your humble beginnings

In our culture, leader seems to be one of the “gold star” titles people aspire to attain.

Lots of people talk about being a leader. Sometimes they point to personalities with cult-like or celebrity status.

Think about it. Ask someone to name a leader. They might rattle off a handful of names - the Steve Jobs of the tech industry, or the Oprah Winfreys of the entertainment business. But what do you truly know about their humble beginnings?

Beyond vague assumptions or watered-down sound bites, probably not much.

It’s easy to get frustrated when comparing your progress to these leadership “role models.” Maybe you’re disappointed because you were aiming for a subscriber list in the four figures - and so far you have four.

Perhaps you’re just starting out and your only followers are your ever-supportive friends and family.

When you play the comparison game, every other community seems larger, their forums more engaging, and their founder more successful.

But what if you flipped the script? What if, instead of yearning to grow your community the fastest way possible, you focused on nurturing and supporting the members you have now, no matter how few?

What if you embraced the fact that you can lead from right where you are?

Maybe following your passion and embracing those who catch your spark is an easier way. Check out Derek Sivers’ TED talk about the process of becoming a leader. It’s one of my favorites.

Watch it now. I’ll wait.

Was that what you were expecting? In that short clip, Sivers completely redefines the idea of being a leader – and a follower.

In the video, we see our “lone nut” joyfully dancing on his own, amidst a larger crowd of people. Eventually, a first follower joins in and begins dancing with him. Before long, more and more people join. By the end, it becomes strange not to be dancing.

What was the tipping point? What turned this lone nut’s dance moves into something larger? What led him to become the leader of something memorable? The credit can’t go just to the leader, but rather, to that first follower.

The first followers (or your first few members) are the unsung heroes who transform an individual into a leader. As the name suggests, followers follow. Once one begins following the leader, more will follow the follower.

This is what gives an individual the power to become a leader, even a great one, like a Jobs or a Winfrey.

Let’s circle back to you and your role in creating an online community. It can be tough at the outset. I get that. However, I encourage you to embrace your humble beginnings.

Your first members are your own unsung heroes. These are the people who were not only brave enough to see your vision and join your journey, but who will share your community with the people in their world.

Your followers are the ones who will help you grow… who will bring the change you're chasing after to life.

So, what’s next? When things are slow to take off, take advantage of the ability to do the unscalable things. Invest time getting to know your members. Build meaningful relationships with them. Put aside the vanity metrics and focus on listening to them.

Look after your tiny band and help them feel seen, and growth will naturally follow.

I’m glad you’re here in this “tiny band”, and I hope you’ll keep reading along. I’ll bring a consistent dose of encouragement and regular tips to help you launch or scale your community.

No matter how humble your beginning, it’s always important to hold on to your dream.

Embracing possibility,

PS. Need a little pep talk about the size of your community? This video clip may just do the trick!

So far, the readers of Community Matters are a tiny band, and I’d love your help to grow a thriving community. Know anyone else who might like to follow? I greatly appreciate your sharing and inviting them.