Leaders are the ones who are willing to give up something of their own for us. Their time, their energy, their money, maybe even the food off their plate. When it matters, leaders choose to eat last.

Leadership is being the first egg in the omelet.

The first follower is actually an underestimated form of leadership in itself. … The first follower is what transforms a lone nut into a leader.

Leadership is being the first to put others second. Wait, that’s not right. That’s politics.

When you are with Marines gathering to eat, you will notice that the most junior are served first and the most senior are served last. When you witness this act, you will also note that no order is given. Marines just do it.

Someone will declare, “I am the leader!” and expect everyone to get in line and follow him or her to the gates of heaven or hell. My experience is that it doesn’t happen that way. Unless you’re a guard on a chain gang, others follow you based on the quality of your actions rather than the magnitude of your declarations.

He who speaks first, loses.

Leaders are the ones who have the courage to go first and open a path for others to follow.

A leader. . .is like a shepherd. He stays behind the flock, letting the most nimble go out ahead, whereupon the others follow, not realizing that all along they are being directed from behind.

The Leader sets out for the people what they need and not simply what they want. Otherwise, the Leader is just a follower.

Being the leader means you hold the highest rank, either by earning it, good fortune or navigating internal politics. Leading, however, means that others willingly follow you — not because they have to, not because they are paid to, but because they want to.

Being the leader means you hold the highest rank, either by earning it, good fortune or navigating internal politics. Leading, however, means that others willingly follow you—not because they have to, not because they are paid to, but because they want to.

The leader might be analyzed as the one who perceived what could be achieved and did it. p159

"The first follower is what transforms a lone nut into a leader." - Quoting Derek Sivers