Uncle Frank sez: “You can’t lead others unless you have followed.”
Uncle Frank is always quick to point out that no member of the Boy Scouts has ever started out as an Eagle Scout and no member of the United States Military has ever started out as a general. They have to work their way up through the ranks and into those positions of leadership. They have to earn those titles through dedication and hard work.
They can only accomplish those positions once they have perfected the skill, endurance and perseverance it takes to follow. They have to spend time in the trenches – training, learning and perfecting multiple tasks before they can reach that rightful role of leadership.
There is a right of passage they must conquer for that caliber of leadership. They must serve their time in the vineyard. They must follow and become good followers in order to become great leaders.
General Patton was a leader BEFORE he was a follower.
Patton, McArthur and Schwartzkoff sure did. Then there were great men like Audie Murphy who were great followers who led so well that they earned the highest decorations attainable though they were not the highest-ranking leaders in their field.
We are all the same no matter what profession we are in – we have to follow first before we can lead. Shadowing someone else who has been in the business or being mentored by an expert in the field is highly recommended in any occupation.
Just as we have to crawl before we can walk and walk before we can run, we must also learn before we can teach and follow before we can lead.
Being a follower means learning, being trained and drawing knowledge from someone else and their experience. Why would any person turn down good advice based on prior experience? No smart person would. By following, you learn the ropes and see the possible pitfalls and can learn to dodge them instead of plummet into them.
There are many land mines in the business field, so it is best to follow someone who knows where they are. Then when it’s your turn to cross the field by yourself you’ll know where each land mine is buried and you can avoid them. It will save your life.
Be patient in learning to follow and you will be great in learning to lead. We have to do one before we can do the other. Follow the leader, and then you can lead the followers.
About The Author, Tracy E. Myers: The original Frank Myers Store was started more than 83 years ago by Frank Myers, the Great-Grandfather of the current owner Tracy Myers and the Grandfather of the previous owner, Franklin Myers. Tracy has spent the past 15+ years trying to change the landscape of the car business and the bruised reputation of car salespeople all over the country. Tracy was one of the first 100 Certified Master Dealers in the Nation, a NIADA Eagle Award Winner and was the youngest recipient ever to be honored with the highest available distinction in the used car industry…the National Quality Dealer award. Frank Myers Auto Maxx was recently recognized as the #1 Small Buisness in NC by Business Leader Magazine, one of the Top 28 Independent Automotive Retailers in the United States by Auto Dealer Monthly Magazine, one of the Top 10 Internet Auto Retailers in the Nation & one of the Top 3 dealerships to work for in the country by The Dealer Business Journal. Tracy is also the Co-Creator of the “Everybody Rides” program and author of the best selling book “Car Buying Secrets Exposed: The Dirty Little Secrets of a Used Car Dealer”, available at Amazon.com and better bookstores. He is a Christian Business Owner whose goal is to run his business “By the Book”. The dealership specializes in helping people find, qualify for and own the vehicle of their dreams with little or no money down…even with less than perfect credit. For more information on Frank Myers Auto Maxx, please visit their website at: https://www.frankmyersauto.com/
