The led must not be compelled, they must be able to choose their own leader

Anyone can follow a crowd.
It's the leader that follows the facts.

It's a stupid leader who can't turn follower when somebody offers him a wiser course

[Or it's just a compulsion.] It's not something you choose to do, ... You can't avoid doing it.

I'm no leader; I'm a little humble follower.

Every leader was a follower at his origin.