Being First: Embracing Unseen Lanes in Leadership
“If you’re not first, you’re last.” This memorable line from the comedy film Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby may seem lighthearted, but it captures a profound truth about leadership. In a world where innovation is the key to progress, being first is often what separates leaders from followers. Yet, many are afraid to take that first step, whether due to fear of failure, fear of success, or simply the fear of venturing into uncharted territory. This blog explores the importance of embracing the role of being first, creating new lanes, and disrupting traditional narratives.
Why Being First Matters
Throughout history, people who have dared to be first—who have ventured beyond the boundaries of the familiar—have paved the way for remarkable progress. Whether it’s inventing something new, discovering a new city, or developing a novel way of thinking, there has always been someone willing to take the initial step. Leadership is no different. The most effective leaders are those who aren’t afraid to disrupt the status quo, who seek out new directions and opportunities, and who have the courage to be first.
Consider the classic business concept of the Blue Ocean Strategy, which encourages businesses to create new markets rather than compete in existing ones. In the book Blue Ocean Strategy by W. Chan Kim and Renée Mauborgne, the authors describe the importance of finding "blue oceans"—untapped, uncontested market spaces—as opposed to "red oceans" that are overcrowded and full of competition. By focusing on innovation and differentiation, leaders can steer their organizations away from the cutthroat competition and toward new opportunities where they can set their own rules.
Creating New Lanes in Leadership
Being the first to do something can be intimidating. It means forging a new path and potentially facing criticism or failure. But it also means opportunity. A good example is the story of Katherine Johnson from the movie Hidden Figures. Johnson, a mathematician at NASA, utilized “old math” techniques combined with innovative thinking to solve critical problems that led to landing a man on the moon. She was not afraid to combine traditional methods with new approaches to create a new lane in her field. Johnson’s story teaches us that being first isn’t just about doing something new—it’s about thinking differently and applying fresh perspectives to old challenges.
Taking the Leap: Embracing Innovation
Often, the fear of failure holds many people back from being first. But fear is part of the journey. One of the biggest barriers to innovation is the comfort zone, where routines are established, and the status quo is rarely challenged. True leaders understand that taking risks is necessary for growth. As the author Brene Brown writes in her book Dare to Lead, “You can choose courage or you can choose comfort, but you cannot have both.” Embracing courage means daring to be different, daring to step outside your comfort zone, and daring to lead from the front.
The same applies to my own experience. When I set out to write my book on leading worship, I couldn’t find anything that fit the specific needs I had for worship at home with my family. Faced with the choice to settle for something that didn’t align with my vision or create something new, I chose the latter. By stepping out and creating my own book, I became the first to offer this specific type of worship guide on the market. It wasn’t easy, but being first rarely is. It involves courage, resilience, and the willingness to face the unknown.
Sidenote: Check out my new book and order it today!
The Fear of Being First
The fear of being first is not unique to leaders—it's a common human experience. Fear of success, fear of failure, and fear of criticism can all contribute to hesitation. But it's essential to recognize that every great achievement begins with a decision to be first. As motivational speaker Les Brown often says, “Too many of us are not living our dreams because we are living our fears.” To disrupt the narrative, leaders must be willing to be the first to venture into the unknown, to challenge the norms, and to create their own lanes.
Finding Courage in Change
If you are a leader or aspire to be one, it's essential to understand that creating a new path often requires the courage to go against the grain. Consider the story of Netflix, which transformed from a DVD rental service into a streaming giant by challenging Blockbuster’s late fee model and embracing a new, disruptive business strategy. This change wasn't without risk, but it demonstrated the power of being first in creating a new market and redefining an industry.
Statistic Insight: According to a study by McKinsey, 84% of executives agree that innovation is critical to growth, but only 6% are satisfied with their innovation performance. This highlights the gap between recognizing the importance of being first and actually taking the steps to lead innovation.
Steps to Lead Like You’re First
Challenge the Status Quo:
Always ask, “Is there a better way?” Whether it's processes, products, or strategies, continually challenge your current methods and look for opportunities to innovate.
Cultivate a Growth Mindset:
Embrace the idea that your abilities and intelligence can be developed through dedication and hard work. A growth mindset encourages risk-taking, learning from mistakes, and constant improvement.
Encourage Creative Thinking:
Foster an environment where creativity is encouraged and failure is viewed as a learning opportunity. Allow your team to experiment with new ideas and reward innovation, even when it doesn’t immediately succeed.
Leverage Diverse Perspectives:
Incorporate a range of perspectives into your decision-making process. Diverse teams bring different ideas and solutions to the table, increasing the likelihood of breakthrough innovations.
Build Resilience:
Understand that being first is not always easy, and setbacks are part of the journey. Building resilience allows you to bounce back from failures and continue pushing forward.
In Conclusion, Embrace the First-Mover Advantage
Leadership is about more than maintaining the status quo. It’s about creating new lanes, embracing innovation, and not being afraid to be first. Like a new song that brings a fresh sound to the music world, your leadership style can bring a new perspective to your team and industry. The fear of being first should not hold you back; rather, it should propel you to explore, experiment, and expand beyond your comfort zone.
To disrupt the narrative around leadership, you must dare to be first. Be the one to redefine what leadership looks like, to push beyond conventional boundaries, and to find new ways to achieve success. As the world changes rapidly, leaders who can navigate these new lanes will be the ones to make the greatest impact.
