Derek Sivers gave a short TED talk titled "How to Start a Movement" that is a great example of how important followers are and how they make or break a leader. In his presentation he discusses the importance of the first follower in launching a movement. The premise is that although a leader may have the courage to stand alone, it is the first follower who attracts others to join the organization and support a leader. Followers typically have less authority and influence than their leader. Followership, however, refers to the role followers have in supporting the leader and the organization. Interestingly, while not everyone is a leader, every leader is a follower and answers to someone, whether it be a superior officer, a board of directors, or, in the case of the President of the United States, the American people. The best leaders are also truly skilled followers. The concept of followership states that good followers understand their leader's goals and objectives, the pressures he or she faces, what his or her strengths and weaknesses are, and, perhaps most critically, where his or her blind spots are.. ...