People are literally dying to be led:
In the past, the present, and forever into the world-without-end future, people have been, are now, and ever shall be trading in their unprofitable present for the hope of a brighter future:
”Please, give me guidance, show me the way.”
”I will do anything.”
”Just tell me what to do.”
When you share your vision of a brighter future — your idea that unites your people — you lift them up above where they are now.
And they will begin to give to you, in small amounts and infrequently, like the first few drops of rain on the far edge of a slowly approaching storm:
their assets, respect, appreciation, and approval
And your consistent, constant action of giving demonstrates the quality of your character and transforms your followers’ hope into faith and then into rock-solid trust upon which they can safely build the structure of their lives, and the clouds open up more and rain upon you:
their friendship, their family, time, freedom, and even their lives and the lives of their children.
Your idea will become part of them.
Do you doubt that your followers will go this far?
Have you ever met a family whose generations continue in the same vocation or calling, especially in military service (literally offering up their lives and the lives of their children as sacrifice)?
Or how about a family whose generations continue in the same religious practice even when they have an abundance of spiritual choices?
Or those that continue in the same recreational activities, boldly stating the Johnsons have always been hunters, and always will be.
That’s how powerful an idea is: it becomes part of that family’s identity and, like social DNA, is passed down generation to generation. It’s part of who they are.
|
Or if you want, take a look at Harley-Davidson motorcycles: Owners assimilate the product into their lives and become part of a special community that’s been formalized in member chapters across the world. Harley-Davidson is a religion of followers who have made Harley-Davidson part of their identity and even wear distinct clothing to distinguish themselves from other motorcycle riders. |
|
Or take a look at Apple’s Mac, which started in 1984 with its famous TV ad aired during the January 1984 Super Bowl: A track-and-field athlete runs down a theater aisle and flings a sledge hammer at the screen of Big Brother (IBM), freeing the hypnotized audience from their gray, mesmerized trance.
|
Even today, while Windows runs price-comparison TV ads based on “PCs give you all the same stuff but cost less than a Mac,” ask yourself which Mac user or potential buyer is going to convert and sell his or her soul and identity for a fistful of dollars? Mac is a religion of followers who have cyber-assimilated the Mac into their identities.
And I know you can think of more people to add to the list, such surfers and hip-hoppers who signal their identity through clothing and speech … New Age spiritualists who talk about attracting and manifesting … or organic dieters who seek out foods free of additives, genetic modification, and cruelty.
People will give up everything — including their identity — in order to have a sense of meaning, importance, and purpose in their lives.
They will do anything. Just show them what to do.
And why will they come running to you, asking, “Please, give me guidance, show me the way”?
Because you show them something to run away from.
As we’ll see next time.
Related posts: