It’s not who follows you it’s who you follow.
One of the things that blogs, facebook, twitter and social media have created is a follower culture. Everyone is obsessed with hits, followers and fans. It can take over your life. How do I know? I have been obsessed with how many follower on twitter I have and how many hit I have on my blog. While helpful to measure growth and effectiveness it can also be very self focused and ego driven.
What would Jesus Do? Would he be on twitter? He actually is and has 456,000 followers.
Paul tells us to
1 Corinthians 11:1
Follow my example, as I follow the example of ChristMatthew 4:19
“Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will make you fishers of men.”
We focus to much on who follows us. We measure of influence our worth by how many people are lining up behind us and in the process we can forget to focus on who we are following. We can easily forget that our influence comes from who we are following rather than those who follow us. Don’t get me wrong leadership isn’t leadership unless someone is following you, but as a leader if you don’t know where you are going people won’t be following long.
If you are a young leader
1. Don’t just count everyone make sure everyone counts
2. Make sure everyone leaves a conversation with you inspired by you not in awe of you.
3. Effectiveness is measured by obedience. Obedience can’t always be measured by more followers.
4. Do what’s right not what will get you more followers.
5. Before you follow someone find out who they follow.
Thanks. I needed to hear that!
I posted something similar to this last week when I was talking about Klout. http://michaelchanley.com/2012/03/22/social-media…
This is a good post… thanks for keeping it real, Sam. You're a beast.
GREAT Post! #2 really hit home for me. Thank you.
Good reminders. If I understand your intent with #1, that is so important. People are not just numbers. If we are not going to be friends, encouragers, and co-workers for God–or at least humble lights–with/for our "followers", there is really no (good) purpose. Paul's example that you shared is just what we need!
Sam, excellent post. Great companion piece to your post last week. It is very easy for all of us to be sucked in by lure of "twitter-fame." I find make a habit of questioning my own motives before every post. The moment we stop doing that, I think, is when we need to be worried. Thanks, Sam. I appreciate your candor!
i love your heart, sam luce!
Thanks guys for your encouragement and feedback. Appreciate you taking time to comment.
Love this. I will follow you
Great post! Thanks! Love #5 "Before you follow someone find out who they follow." Nice!
And another great one!
Thanks.