--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I start with the premise that the…" description: "\"I start with the premise that the function of leadership is to produce more leaders, not more followers.\" — Ralph Nader" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/056/ralph-nader-1783_followers_i-start-with-the-premise-that-the-functi_3131931.png" --- # I start with the premise that the function of leadership… ![“I start with the premise that the function of leadership is to produce more leaders, not more followers.” quote by Ralph Nader](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/056/ralph-nader-1783_followers_i-start-with-the-premise-that-the-functi_3131931.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/056/ralph-nader-1783_followers_i-start-with-the-premise-that-the-functi_3131931.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/056/ralph-nader-1783_followers_i-start-with-the-premise-that-the-functi_3131931.png) > “I start with the premise that the function of leadership is to produce more leaders, not more followers.” [Ralph Nader](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-nader/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Leadership should create new leaders, not just obedient followers. **In simple terms:** Leaders should develop other leaders. Key Takeaway Focus on mentoring. Themes leadership development empowerment Mood inspirational thoughtful Type advice philosophical When to use this quote - Corporate training - nonprofit board - community organizing - startup founding Key Concepts Mentorship legacy growth Questions to Reflect On - How can you mentor while leading? - What structures support leader development? A Different Perspective Leaders may lack time to mentor. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Followers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/followers/) [Leader](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/leader/) [Leaders](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/leaders/) [Leadership](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/leadership/) ## Related quotes > [The function of leadership is to produce more leaders, not more followers.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-nader/the-function-of-leadership-is-to-produce-more-leaders-not-more/) [Ralph Nader](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-nader/) > [You see it's leaders and there's followers...But I'd rather be a dick than a swallower.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kanye-west/you-see-it-s-leaders-and-there-s-followers-but-i-d-rather-be-a-dick/) [Kanye West](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kanye-west/) > [“The function of leadership – the number-one responsibility of a leader – is to catalyze a clear and shared vision for the organization and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ted-kallman/the-function-of-leadership-the-number-one-responsibility-of-a-leader/) Ted Kallman > [“there's leaders, and there's followers...but I'd rather be a d\*ck than a swallower”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kanye-west/there-s-leaders-and-there-s-followers-but-i-d-rather-be-a-d-ck-than-a/) [Kanye West](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kanye-west/) > [“Some individual's demand respect while other's just earn it. There are three types of people, two are essential to any mission; leaders, followers, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/s-e-brooks/some-individual-s-demand-respect-while-other-s-just-earn-it-there-are/) S. E. Brooks > [Keep in mind that we are leaders not followers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/a-fairley/keep-in-mind-that-we-are-leaders-not-followers/) A Fairley > [You did what your heart told you to do,' Brain complimented. 'It is what leaders, not followers, do.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tonya-hurley/you-did-what-your-heart-told-you-to-do-brain-complimented-it-is-what/) [Tonya Hurley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tonya-hurley/) > [Leadership is an influence relationship among leaders and followers who intend real changes that reflect their mutual purposes.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-c-rost/leadership-is-an-influence-relationship-among-leaders-and-followers/) Joseph C. Rost > [The leader is one who mobilizes others toward a goal shared by leaders and followers. ... Leaders, followers and goals make up the three…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/the-leader-is-one-who-mobilizes-others-toward-a-goal-shared-by/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Great leaders create leaders, not followers.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/yasmine-tariq/great-leaders-create-leaders-not-followers/) [Yasmine Tariq](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/yasmine-tariq/) > [“In this life of our' there will be leaders and there will be followers',, You Lead' and when you must follow follow GOD'.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jasiah-rosariio/in-this-life-of-our-there-will-be-leaders-and-there-will-be-followers/) Jasiah Rosariio > [Though there are many types of people, leaders, followers, business men, artists, spiritual leaders, and so on, the fact remains that a person's life…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/though-there-are-many-types-of-people-leaders-followers-business-men/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Respect for leaders by followers can't be mandated; it must be earned. It has to be given to leaders by their followers.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/colin-powell/respect-for-leaders-by-followers-can-t-be-mandated-it-must-be-earned/) [Colin Powell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/colin-powell/) > [There are leaders and there are followers. Followers follow leaders and leaders follow their heart](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/will-i-am/there-are-leaders-and-there-are-followers-followers-follow-leaders/) [will.i.am](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/will-i-am/) > [The future of any corporation is as good as the value system of the leaders and followers in the organization.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/n-r-narayana-murthy/the-future-of-any-corporation-is-as-good-as-the-value-system-of-the/) [N. R. Narayana Murthy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/n-r-narayana-murthy/) ## More by Ralph Nader > [This welfare for wealthy companies wastes taxpayer dollars, harms the environment, and makes a mockery of the recent reductions in federal social spending programs.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-nader/this-welfare-for-wealthy-companies-wastes-taxpayer-dollars-harms-the/) [Ralph Nader](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-nader/) > [Nuclear power must be dealt with irrationally. . . . Nuclear plants are carcinogens. Let's get that story out. . . . Their lies…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-nader/nuclear-power-must-be-dealt-with-irrationally-nuclear-plants-are/) [Ralph Nader](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-nader/) > [In 2000 the majority of people wanted me and Buchanan on the debates in two thousand. And me on the debates in 2004. have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-nader/in-2000-the-majority-of-people-wanted-me-and-buchanan-on-the-debates/) [Ralph Nader](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-nader/) > [What we need to recognize, less than 1 percent of the people organized around issues that are already supported by conservatives and liberals, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-nader/what-we-need-to-recognize-less-than-1-percent-of-the-people-organized/) [Ralph Nader](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-nader/) > [We live in a two-party tyranny that doesn't believe in competition, can enforce it with penalties and obstructions, and they're getting closer and closer…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-nader/we-live-in-a-two-party-tyranny-that-doesn-t-believe-in-competition/) [Ralph Nader](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-nader/) > [George W. Bush is very vulnerable but not if you campaign the way the major candidates - except for Dean and Kucinich - are…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-nader/george-w-bush-is-very-vulnerable-but-not-if-you-campaign-the-way-the/) [Ralph Nader](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-nader/) > [In the meantime the big corporations are fleeing America for tax havens and places like Ireland, Luxembourg and the Grand Cayman Islands; the rich…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-nader/in-the-meantime-the-big-corporations-are-fleeing-america-for-tax/) [Ralph Nader](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-nader/) > [Full Medicare-for-all, free choice of doctor and hospital: that comes in sixty to seventy percent without even further explanation. And if you ever explained…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-nader/full-medicare-for-all-free-choice-of-doctor-and-hospital-that-comes/) [Ralph Nader](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-nader/) > [I always say there's no ticket of admission for active citizenship. Anybody can get through that gate, and anybody can ask that basic question…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-nader/i-always-say-there-s-no-ticket-of-admission-for-active-citizenship/) [Ralph Nader](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-nader/) > [People have got to show up, showing up at meetings, rallies, marches, City Council, courtrooms. You've got to show up.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-nader/people-have-got-to-show-up-showing-up-at-meetings-rallies-marches/) [Ralph Nader](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-nader/) > [For almost seventy years the life insurance industry has been a smug sacred cow feeding the public a steady line of sacred bull.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-nader/for-almost-seventy-years-the-life-insurance-industry-has-been-a-smug/) [Ralph Nader](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-nader/) > [It is fascinating to watch legislators turn away from their usual corporate grips when they hear the growing thunder of the people.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-nader/it-is-fascinating-to-watch-legislators-turn-away-from-their-usual/) [Ralph Nader](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-nader/) > [In 2004 Professor Stephen Farnsworth, when I report saying that I got about five minutes on all the networks after Labor Day to election…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-nader/in-2004-professor-stephen-farnsworth-when-i-report-saying-that-i-got/) [Ralph Nader](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-nader/) > [Young wives are the leading asset of corporate power. They want the suburbs, a house, a settled life, and respectability. They want society to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-nader/young-wives-are-the-leading-asset-of-corporate-power-they-want-the/) [Ralph Nader](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-nader/) > [Moral courage is the highest expression of humanity ...](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-nader/moral-courage-is-the-highest-expression-of-humanity/) [Ralph Nader](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-nader/) [Explore all 208 Ralph Nader quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-nader/) ## More Followers quotes > [Sometimes I look at my awesome twitter followers & think to myself, What the hell would I do without them :)](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nikhil-saluja/sometimes-i-look-at-my-awesome-twitter-followers-think-to-myself-what/) [Nikhil Saluja](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nikhil-saluja/) > [When I'm on Twitter, we just talk to people. I call all my Twitter followers my 'Twitter babies.'](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rozonda-thomas/when-i-m-on-twitter-we-just-talk-to-people-i-call-all-my-twitter/) [Rozonda Thomas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rozonda-thomas/) > [The emerging church movement has come to believe that the ultimate context of the spiritual aspirations of a follower of Jesus Christ is not…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samir-selmanovic/the-emerging-church-movement-has-come-to-believe-that-the-ultimate/) [Samir Selmanovic](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samir-selmanovic/) > [Followers of the occult believe in only what they already know, and in those things that confirm what they have already learned.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/umberto-eco/followers-of-the-occult-believe-in-only-what-they-already-know-and-in/) [Umberto Eco](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/umberto-eco/) > [Majority decisions tend to be made without engaging the systematic thought and critical thinking skills of the individuals in the group. Given the force…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/majority-decisions-tend-to-be-made-without-engaging-the-systematic/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Science can destroy religion by ignoring it as well as by disproving its tenets. No one ever demonstrated, so far as I am aware,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arthur-c-clarke/science-can-destroy-religion-by-ignoring-it-as-well-as-by-disproving/) [Arthur C. Clarke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arthur-c-clarke/) > [“Everybody goes where everybody goes.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-vato/everybody-goes-where-everybody-goes/) [Thomas Vato](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-vato/) > [If the civil magistrate be a Christian, a disciple or follower of the meek Lamb of God, he is bound to be far from…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roger-williams/if-the-civil-magistrate-be-a-christian-a-disciple-or-follower-of-the/) [Roger Williams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roger-williams/) > [One advantage to having a kid on the spectrum: they tend to be rule followers. Socially, things are harder for them than most kids.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/one-advantage-to-having-a-kid-on-the-spectrum-they-tend-to-be-rule/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [The proof that a philosopher does not know what he is talking about is apt to sadden his followers before it reacts on himself.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-adams/the-proof-that-a-philosopher-does-not-know-what-he-is-talking-about/) [Henry Adams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-adams/) > [Good leaders must become what they want their followers to become.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nido-r-qubein/good-leaders-must-become-what-they-want-their-followers-to-become/) [Nido R Qubein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nido-r-qubein/) > [There is nothing gray about whether a follower of Christ should see 50 Shades of Grey. This is a black and white issue. Don’t…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kevin-deyoung/there-is-nothing-gray-about-whether-a-follower-of-christ-should-see/) [Kevin DeYoung](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kevin-deyoung/) > [People tell me I am brave. People tell me I am strong. People tell me good job. Well here is the truth of it.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/katie-davis/people-tell-me-i-am-brave-people-tell-me-i-am-strong-people-tell-me/) [Katie Davis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/katie-davis/) > [Followers want to be taken care of. Leaders want to take care of others. We can all be leaders.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/simon-sinek/followers-want-to-be-taken-care-of-leaders-want-to-take-care-of/) [Simon Sinek](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/simon-sinek/) > [It's important to think of every customer as an online celebrity with followers, friends, & above all influence](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dave-kerpen/it-s-important-to-think-of-every-customer-as-an-online-celebrity-with/) [Dave Kerpen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dave-kerpen/) [Browse all 990 Followers quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/followers/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "I start with the premise that the function of leadership is to produce more leaders, not more followers.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Ralph Nader" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-nader/i-start-with-the-premise-that-the-function-of-leadership-is-to/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Followers" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-nader/i-start-with-the-premise-that-the-function-of-leadership-is-to/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/056/ralph-nader-1783_followers_i-start-with-the-premise-that-the-functi_3131931.png", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/056/ralph-nader-1783_followers_i-start-with-the-premise-that-the-functi_3131931.png", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/056/ralph-nader-1783_followers_i-start-with-the-premise-that-the-functi_3131931.png", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“I start with the premise that the function of leadership is to produce more leaders, not more followers.” — Ralph Nader", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Ralph Nader", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-nader/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "I start with the premise that...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-nader/i-start-with-the-premise-that-the-function-of-leadership-is-to/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-nader/i-start-with-the-premise-that-the-function-of-leadership-is-to/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```