We are going to the polls to choose a leader for our country this Saturday. Choosing where to put number 1 on the ballot papers seems an important decision – although this time round, number 1 is really only second best.

Some of us are going down south for the Masters State Championships this weekend. The number 1 spots on the podium will be hard earned.

But why is it important to be number 1?

In the world of numbers, the only significant aspect of number 1 is that it comes before number 2. It is thrust into a leadership spot simply because the count has to start somewhere…

Leaders are merely followers. To lead a country, a person has to follow public opinion. Votes count and political leaders are on a leash controlled by party members and the public. If you forge out and there is no one behind you – then you are not a leader. To be a leader, you must find a following first that you are willing to adopt. Followers only line up behind a leader who is a champion for their cause.

Being number 1 to a large following is really not such a big deal. It is a position that has to be taken up and anyone will do….

So, all the effort that you put into being number 1 is like a rat furiously trying to get somewhere on a spinning wheel. You are not going to get anywhere. You are not making much of a difference and the only good that you are doing is burning away fat.

The good news for all of us is that we are already number ones – without making any effort. We are individually, totally unique. The self-development gurus have a point in their “just be yourself” mantra. We have no need to follow others to lead them. True leaders need no followers. They go where they please because they know that their life journey has been specially designed for them… and they play the leading role.