to offer oneself as the first example to follow or to initiate a task as a model for others; literally start with Wei

To volunteer to lead or take the first step; to recommend oneself for a task to encourage others to follow. Originates from the Warring States period when the scholar [[郭隗|郭隗|guo1 wei3]] asked King Zhao of Yan to start by employing him as a way to attract other talented people.

scholar and statesman of the state of Yan during the Warring States period who advised King Zhao on attracting talented people

(?-33) A military leader in the early Eastern Han Dynasty who initially joined the rebellion against Wang Mang and later established an independent regime in the Longxi region before being defeated.